29 Apr 2013

Record-breaker: LFC chase exciting Portuguese star who broke Ronaldo's record

The upcoming summer transfer window promises to be one of the most interesting in years, and central defence is one area of the team in line for a major overhaul. Given the players linked with the club over the last six months, it seems likely that the Reds will sign one established centre-back, and one young, up-and-coming defender, and the latest youngster linked with a move to Anfield is Sporting Lisbon centre-half Tiago Ilori.

According to The Mirror:

"Liverpool are plotting a summer switch for promising Portuguese centre-back Tiago Ilori.

"The London-born 20-year-old plays for Sporting Lisbon and is available for £1.3million".


The 6'3 defender is only two games into his senior Sporting career, but he's attracting attention across Europe, and with Sebastian Coates almost certain to leave this summer, a replacement may be needed in the squad.

Ilori has already tasted success at Sporting - he played in the same Sporting B team as Eric Dier and Bruma last season, which won the national title. That team also competed in the NextGen tournament against Liverpool, and beat the Reds 3-0.

Despite his height, Ilori is one of the fasted players in the Portuguese League, and in tests conducted at the the club's Alcochete Academy, he recently broke the club's sprint records previously held Nani and ­Cristiano Ronaldo.

Liverpool have a good relationship with Sporting - The club already poached Joao Teixeira, and the scouting team is also tracking Ilori's team-mate, Bruma.

The question is, do Liverpool need another young central defender? Coates has barely got a look in under Rodgers, and what about Martin Kelly and Andre Wisdom, two massively promising players who can play at centre-back?





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11 comments:

  1. not needed jaimie was you at the grosvener hotel last night lol;-)

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  2. Yes, I led the boos when Suarez's name got called out ;-)

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  3. well what do you think? you are the one who brought this idea.so say something. instead leaving us unfinished topic whats your idea on this one?

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  4. 1.3m is not a gamble at this level. coates, while a great CB, is slow and cumbersome at times. pace needed for the EPL...sporting looked awesome in the nexgen too.

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  5. Sell Coates and bring in a replacement. As Rowan says below, Coates is slow, and this guys is one of the fastest players in Europe.

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  6. All the headlines are Saurez booed (how incredibly childish) none mentioned he finished second. what a blow for all the boo boys.

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  7. Suarez finished second what a tribute from his fellow professionals.

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  8. would be a wonderfull player for the future, portugal has some bright starlets and hes one of them. Especially because of his pace he could be an ideal player for us, as we need a faster defence, for our high up sitting defensive line! 1,3m is nothing for a starlet like him. lets take him!

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  9. I'd love the idea of a 6'3 speed demon at centre-half, but I find it hard to believe that someone with those physical dimensions could be available to a couple of mil and still be a decent defender.

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  10. If Coates and Skrtel both go then yes but only if an established CD is also brought in like Ashley Williams. Wisdom deserves more chances to develop for sure so gives us cover. Kelly when he returns gives us cover at right back and GJ can play at LB if needed. Replacing Skrtel is not the aim, replacing Jamie Carra most certainly is.

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