Promising Portuguese Defender To Use Spanish Move To Impress Rodgers

Liverpool centre-back Tiago Ilori says he is hoping to impress at Granada during his loan spell in La Liga so he rewarded with a first team role upon his return to Anfield.

Ilori joined Liverpool in the summer from Sporting but the Portugal Under 21 international has so far failed to make a single appearance for the senior squad.

Despite lapses of form and injury blighting his defensive options, Brendan Rodgers clearly thinks the youngster isn't yet ready to compete in the Premier League and after interest from a number of Spanish sides Ilori confirmed this week he would spend the rest of the season with Granada.

But the defender insists Liverpool are still at the forefront of his mind and he wants to prove himself in time for his return to the side in the summer.

"Liverpool are a great team, they have great players and it's difficult to get a chance, but I hope I'll get to play more games next season," he told reporters.

"At the start of the season I played some friendly games, then I couldn't get to play every week, but I'll be at 100% soon. I'm here [at Granda] to gain experience, get minutes in games and hopefully I can help Granada and then next season, hopefully I can play at Liverpool.

"I'll be trying to play as often as I can, doing the best I possibly can, gain experience and become a much better player."

Rodgers will be hopeful that Ilori turns out to be a good signing for Liverpool in the long-term with the manager looking to ensure the success of the club for years to come as well as in the present.

He will certainly be a help for Granada who are currently mid-table in La Liga and planning on securing a top-half finish for 2014.