Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Alberto Moreno and Tiago Ilori Rumours

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez personally blocked Real Madrid's move for Reds full-back Alberto Moreno, ending the Spanish defender's hopes of returning to La Liga. 

AS (h/t Ben Green of 90min.com) say the new Los Blancos coach decided to keep his faith with Alvaro Arbeloa as cover—as the transfer window closed—opting against signing the 23-year-old international. 

The prodigious talent arrived at Anfield 12 months ago, rated as one of the best young left-backs in European football.

Moreno's form has been mixed, with the defender admitting to Marca (h/t Jack Wilson of the Daily Star) he has been caught out by the physical demands of the English game: "Maybe the defensive aspect [is the toughest part of the Premier League]. This league is very physical, you're up against really fast and incisive players. In Spain it's more tactical and positional."

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

However, Moreno also proclaimed he is happy on Merseyside and was content with his contribution to the club in 2014-15, per Wilson: "It's great. I realised what a great club this is right away. The first year was difficult because of the language issue and moving away from home, but I made 41 appearances, which is pretty good for my age and a club of Liverpool's stature."

Moreno has clocked up just 56 minutes of playing time in Liverpool's opening Premier League matches, per WhoScored.com, sparking rumours of a move away from the north-west.

Tutto Mercato Web (h/t James Whaling of the Daily Mirror) claimed the defender was the subject of interest from Los Blancos in the final hours of the transfer window, with Reds manager Brendan Rodgers ready to rubber stamp the deal. 

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

However, Benitez scuppered any chances of it happening, and Moreno will now get the chance to win his place back in the starting XI. 

Liverpool blogger Noel C expressed his relief at the collapse of any potential deal to take Moreno back to Spain and questioned the validity of Joe Gomez as the club's left-back: "In the end, though, it doesn’t especially matter why Moreno is still a Liverpool player today. All that matters is that he is. And hopefully, following the international break and Joe Gomez’ disastrous outing against West Ham, he will now be given the chance to earn back the starting role."

Bright Spark Ilori Shown Exit Door

MB Media/Getty Images

Rodgers' transfer strategy has been called into question after the manager allowed young defender Tiago Ilori to join Aston Villa on loan, with view to a permanent switch to the Midlands. 

James Pearce of the Mirror reports the £7 million purchase from Sporting Lisbon in 2013 has been shown the exit by Rodgers, after the coach previously called his capture as "safeguarding the club's future:"

"

One that we had been tracking for a year was Tiago Ilori, a young talent, but who can become a big talent. He is 6 foot 3 inches tall, super quick, powerful and can jump. He just needs to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. He is one for the future, but he can be a really big talent. We had a chance to protect the club for maybe the next 10 years and that is what we’ve done.

"

Liverpool had appeared more solid in defence until the walls came crashing down recently against West Ham United, as the team lost 3-0 at home. 

The London-born Ilori has continued to perform for Portugal's Under-21 side, impressing in the recent European Championships. 

Rodgers purchased 24 players between 2012 and 2014, but only 13 now remain on Liverpool's books, per Pearce. 

Ilori's departure will be yet another failure for Rodgers as his side continues to blow hot and cold. The loss to the Hammers was an unexpected setback—but it is now questionable how many more chances the coach will get if his transfer policy doesn't bear fruit. 

Ilori is likely to do well at Villa, and the chance to play Premier League football will do the 22-year-old a power of good. 

It is also a blessing Moreno has remained at Anfield, as he still remains one of the top young full-backs in Europe. Gomez has performed well since his arrival from Charlton Athletic, but at 18 years old, he will need to learn his trade before he can be considered first choice.