Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori has told Brendan Rodgers that he wants to play for the club's first team, in an interview with the ​Liverpool Echo.





The Portuguese centre-half has spent the last two seasons out on loan, but is currently back at Anfield and represented the club's Under-21 side against Everton earlier this week.





He featured for the first half but was withdrawn at half time - as planned - as he continues his injury recovery process. Ilori initially picked up the problem while representing Portugal at the Under-21 European Championships earlier this summer.









But while Liverpool are considering loaning him out again according to U-21 manager Michael Beale, I lori has stated that he wants to play for the club's first team, saying: ​ "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.





"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."









Reflecting on his injury and his first game back in the 3-3 draw with Everton, he said: "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.





"It was always the idea just to play the first half. I haven't played for two months so they want to take things slow but I'm a step closer to being 100%."





According Beale, both Ilori and Joao Carlos Teixiera could be headed out on loan again though: "Tiago and Joao have not played for the U21s in two seasons now, they're very much seen as senior first team members of squad. They needed tonight for minutes, fitness and exposure and I thought both boys acquitted themselves well.





"Obviously Tiago has been away and had an experience outside of England and we're hoping he'll get another loan in the coming weeks alongside Joao."





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