In a candid interview picked up by The Mirror and Liverpool.com (published around February 10, 2026), De Sciglio looked back on the summer of 2017 when Liverpool, under Jürgen Klopp, showed serious interest in the versatile right-back/centre-back from AC Milan. At the time, the Reds were bolstering their defense amid injury woes and inconsistency—Joel Matip had arrived the previous year, but the backline needed more depth and quality.
De Sciglio admitted the Anfield move was on the table, but he opted for Juventus, where he believed the project (under Massimiliano Allegri) offered bigger immediate trophies and prestige in Serie A. “I could have signed for Liverpool ahead of Virgil van Dijk,” he reflected, noting that Van Dijk’s blockbuster £75m arrival from Southampton in January 2018 transformed the Reds into title contenders. Had De Sciglio chosen Merseyside, he might have formed part of that iconic defensive partnership or rotation alongside the Dutch colossus, potentially adding Premier League titles, Champions Leagues, and more to his CV.
Instead, his path diverged sharply. At Juventus, De Sciglio won two Serie A titles (2018, 2019) but struggled with injuries and limited minutes, leading to loans to AC Milan (2021-22) and Empoli (2022-23). He returned to Italy after a brief stint elsewhere but found himself without a club after his last deal expired. Now a free agent, he’s reflecting on the road not taken: “Matters could have unfolded very differently had I opted for Merseyside. With Van Dijk strengthening the defense shortly after, there’s no knowing how my trophy collection might look today.”
The revelation comes at a poignant time for Liverpool. Arne Slot’s side faces defensive injury crises (missing key players like Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, and doubts over Joe Gomez ahead of big clashes like Man City), while planning for life after icons. Van Dijk (turning 35 in July) remains under contract until 2027, but Slot has openly discussed succession planning—highlighted by the recent signing of young French defender Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes as a long-term heir.
De Sciglio’s versatility (right-back, left-back, centre-back) could theoretically have been useful in a squad thin on options, but his current status as a free agent raises eyebrows. At 33, he’s past his prime (post-injury struggles and limited recent game time), but his experience and Serie A pedigree might tempt clubs needing short-term cover. Liverpool fans are split on social media: some joke “imagine De Sciglio instead of VVD—different timeline 😅,” while others point out the Dutchman’s arrival was the catalyst for glory, making the “rejection” a blessing in disguise for the club.
For De Sciglio, it’s a moment of honest regret mixed with realism. His career highlights include 40 Italy caps, multiple domestic titles, and stints at top clubs—but the Liverpool path not taken lingers as the biggest “what if.” As he hunts for his next move, the Italian defender’s story serves as a reminder of how fine the margins are in football transfers. Who knows—could a reunion still happen if Slot needs emergency depth? Unlikely, but the quote has Reds fans buzzing nonetheless.
