Liverpool confirm Tiago Ilori return from Aston Villa

Liverpool have confirmed the return of defender Tiago Ilori from his loan at Aston Villa.

Ilori, 22, failed to make a single appearance for Premier League strugglers Villa, who paid a £1m loan fee to sign the centre-back with the option of a permanent move at the end of the season.

Ilori is also yet to make his senior Liverpool debut since joining from Sporting Lisbon in summer 2013, but he could have an opportunity to impress with the club's three main centre-backs - Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren - all struggling with injuries at the moment.

The Reds also confirmed this morning that Kevin Stewart had been recalled from his loan at Swindon Town.