Liverpool’s 32 Best Signings Under Brendan Rodgers
By Tom Bogert
26. Tiago Ilori/£7m/Sporting Lisbon/Sep 2013
Ilori arrived at Melwood the same day Mamadou Sakho and Victor Moses did, the least known of the three.
Currently, no one other than his parents and the coaching staff actually know about him. He’s never made an appearance for Liverpool Football Club.
Ilori was allowed to stick around Melwood and the U21’s in his first few months before spending the second half of that season on loan at Granada where he was, by accounts, impressive. His role in his loan club’s beating and shutting out Barcelona is the highlight of his career. He made nine appearances at Granada.
In 2014-15, he was loaned to Bordeaux where he made just 15 total appearances. Currently, he’s on loan at Aston Villa. He’s yet to appear for the club. His career has screeched to stasis and his development has been blocked.
It’s simple: the 22-year-old just hasn’t played enough over the past few years. On deadline day as he stood near Sakho holding the Liverpool shirt and posing for pictures, most fans would’ve assumed the young defender would slowly grow into the team due to Rodgers’ expertise with young players.
It hasn’t happened yet. His Liverpool career has nearly drowned (if it hasn’t already), can Klopp lend an arm and pull him up? Don’t hold your breath.
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