Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori, currently on loan to struggling Aston Villa, is hopeful to be handed a lifeline at Anfield after a dreadful spell at Villa so far.
The Liverpool Echo report that the centre-back, who hasn’t featured even once for the Villans, could make a return to Anfield in the summer.
If Villa want to keep Ilori past his set season-long loan spell at the club, the Echo claim it will cost them £6m to £9m (based on appearances), on top of the £1m loan fee that they paid Liverpool initially.
The 22-year-old’s start to life Villa Park was hampered by an ankle injury that has prevented him from making a single senior appearance for the club, and he has turned out just once for Villa’s Under-21s side.
After being completely restricted for game time under previous manager Tim Sherwood, it will be an uphill battle for the Portuguese to break into new manager Remi Garde’s plans. The Frenchman’s reign began with a 0-0 draw against league leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
Liverpool already have plenty of options in Ilori’s position including Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho who has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with a knee problem.
Emre Can and the injured Joe Gomez can also slot in at centre-back.
Ilori is yet to even make a competitive appearance in English football.
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