Ilori states desire to play for first team

Tiago Ilori wants to stay at Liverpool in order to make a move towards Brendan Rodgers’ first team squad, despite the Liverpool Echo reporting that the club are keen on sending the Portuguese defender out on loan.

Dominic King of the Mail has claimed that the centre-back has been linked with Watford, but intends to stay with the Reds.

The ex-Sporting Clube de Portugal man, who the Reds signed for £7m, spent last season on loan at Bordeaux, for whom he made 12 appearances.

The 22-year-old recently played for Portugal in the European Under-21 Championships, and impressed as Portugal went on to the final, losing on penalties.

The young centre-back picked up an injury during the tournament, which ultimately forced him to be left out of Liverpools’ pre-season tour.

Ilori took part in his first match since coming back from the Under-21 tournament on Wednesday night, playing the first half for the Liverpool youngsters in the mini-derby against Everton, which ended 3-3.

After the match, Ilori told the Echo: “I haven’t played for a few months so the most important thing for me was to get back into action,” said the 22-year-old.

“It was frustrating to get injured but at the same time I hadn’t had a holiday for two years and you need some time off, so it came at the right time.

“I want to play for Liverpool. I don’t want to be in Liverpool just to be sitting around. My objective is the same as every other player, we all want to play so everyone’s going to fight for their place.”

Ilori was pleased to get 45 minutes under his belt against Everton Under-21s, and is willing to make his way back to fitness at a sensible pace.

“It was good tonight. Sometimes it’s a bit difficult, I don’t really know the players, they don’t really know me. We play differently – the last time I played was for the Portugal team where we’ve known each other for a long time and have our own particular way of playing.

“Being back in Liverpool and getting used to the different way of playing and the players is difficult but it’s good.”

He reiterated his desire to play for the senior side, saying: “I joined Liverpool two seasons ago to play for Liverpool, that is my number one objective so I’m going to do everything to make that happen.

“I chose Liverpool over a few other teams a couple of years ago and it’s always been my dream to play in the Premier League. To be at a club like this is a dream come true – the next step is playing for it.

“I just know that I need to carry on working.”