Liverpool news: Star targeted for defensive rebuild as Jurgen Klopp makes admission

· Mirror

Liverpool return to Premier League action this week with a blockbuster clash against Manchester City at Anfield

The Liverpool players will slowly begin to return to domestic training this week as they prepare for the visit of Manchester City. Andoni Iraola will aim to continue the Reds' unbeaten run and take points from the current league leaders in the process.

Eighteen Liverpool players departed last month to represent their countries, including Jeremy Jacquet's first call-up for France. Boss Zinedine Zidane was full of praise for the young defender, stating her was "very, very good" and "brave" against Italy in the Nations League last week.

With a handful of games left on the international schedule, Iraola will soon welcome back his senior stars as they look ahead to Enzo Maresca's side and the challenge of October. Here, Mirror Football has the latest coming out of Anfield.

Juve eye Italian Red

Juventus are looking to "rebuild the Italian DNA" of their club and will start by pursuing Giovanni Leoni, it's been claimed. Gazzetta dello Sport states that the Serie A side are looking for "Premier League defenders" that can bolster their backline while bringing back a national identity to the Old Lady.

The 19-year-old has barely featured for the Reds since joining in August 2025, putting in a man-of-the-match performance against Southampton before suffering an ACL rupture. Leoni's debut season was over after just 80 minutes of action and he is yet to grace the pitch again for Liverpool.

It seems that Iraola has big plans for the teenager despite transfer interest, confirming in September that he will reintegrate the centre-half back to the main group over the international break. Speaking before the Ipswich Town win, the Reds boss said: "I think the next one probably should be Giovanni Leoni. I think the plan is also to start training during the break, with the group.

> "I think even Fede [Chiesa] should be around those dates and probably Conor [Bradley], and especially Hugo [Ekitike], will go later, yes."

Jurgen Klopp's 'love lost' admission

Jurgen Klopp believes he has found the "love" for football once again after it was drained out of him at Anfield. The former Reds boss made a shock departure from Anfield in 2024 after citing that he was "running out of energy."

After two years away from the dugout, Klopp returned to take on the role of head coach of his country. Ahead of his fourth game in charge of Germany against Greece, the 59-year-old insisted he is back in a romance with the sport.

Klopp said: "I missed nothing, but I realised I still love what I’m doing. It’s a blessing to work together with players like [Aleksandar Pavlovic]. It’s a pure joy. I’m blessed to watch the group I have from close. We’ve only just started, I’m looking forward to our common future."

Liverpool winger Florian Wirtz has also fallen in love with his new international boss, dubbing Klopp a "true master" after a 2-0 win over Serbia. Wirtz said: "He has a very good rapport with every player.

> "[He tries] to approach every player and make him feel important and that he deserves to be here. It’s important that every player feels valued. And I think Klopp is a true master at that."

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