Defender who rejected Liverpool now free agent as Arne Slot needs reinforcements

Former Italy international Mattia De Sciglio turned down Liverpool in 2017 to join Juventus, missing the chance to be part of Jurgen Klopp's revolution at Anfield alongside the likes of Virgil van Dijk

Mattia De Sciglio alongside Virgil van Dijk(Image: Getty Images)

Mattia De Sciglio has disclosed that he once rejected Liverpool to sign with Juventus instead.

The Italian defender passed up the chance to join one of Anfield's most successful squads and is currently without a club. At 33, De Sciglio was making waves at AC Milan when Liverpool expressed interest in the summer of 2017. Jurgen Klopp was still assembling the backbone of a team destined for greatness, particularly focusing on his defense during the 2017-18 season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold had a standout season under Klopp's guidance at right-back, while Andrew Robertson joined to bolster the left side of defence. To complete the defensive line-up, Virgil van Dijk partnered with Joel Matip, who had transferred from Schalke 18 months earlier, in January 2018.

De Sciglio, a former Italy international, was part of the squad that reached the Euro 2016 quarterfinals and scored his penalty in a shootout loss to Germany.

His performances on the flanks caught Liverpool's attention, but he chose to reunite with his ex-Milan manager, Massimiliano Allegri, at Juventus.

"Liverpool also wanted me, but I chose Turin," he told Calciomercato.com. "Allegri was on the bench and the team was really strong. And finding myself in a dressing room full of champions, after also playing a key role in the European Championship, was a great revenge after the difficult period I had gone through."

De Sciglio is now a free agent(Image: Getty Images)

It proved to be a rewarding decision in its own right. De Sciglio claimed three Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia trophies in Turin before departing on loan for Lyon in 2020.

He subsequently returned to the club for several years before joining Empoli on loan last season. His contract expired in the summer of 2025, however, and he has remained without a club for the past seven months.

Matters could have unfolded very differently had he opted for Merseyside instead. With Van Dijk bolstering the defense shortly after Liverpool expressed interest in his services, there's no knowing how his trophy collection might appear today.

Liverpool has recruited several Italians in recent years, with young center-back Giovanni Leoni arriving in 2025, one year after Federico Chiesa's signing. Before that, however, Mario Balotelli was the last Italian player to join the club in 2014.

Capable on either flank, De Sciglio is exactly the sort of adaptable talent that's becoming increasingly sought after by today's leading managers. Klopp was no stranger to this approach, often prepared to deploy players in alternative positions.

Over time, De Sciglio has transitioned into more of a central position, as is frequently observed with full-backs in the latter stages of their careers.

He featured predominantly in central defense during his solitary season with Empoli last term and could have partnered Van Dijk in different circumstances.

While searching for a new club, De Sciglio maintains he continues to train daily in order to remain prepared should a chance arise. Nevertheless, it's extremely doubtful the Reds will be rekindling their interest - even with Arne Slot desperate for reinforcements.

Leoni and Conor Bradley are both out for the rest of the season, while Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez are nursing injuries. Dominik Szoboszlai, who has been playing as a makeshift right-back, is also unavailable after picking up a red card during Liverpool's loss to Manchester City at the weekend.