Liverpool recalls defenders Kevin Stewart, Tiago Ilori from loan spells

Ahead of Friday's FA Cup third-round tie at League Two's Exeter City, Liverpool recalled defenders Kevin Stewart and Tiago Ilori from their respective loan spells.

Stewart had been on a temporary deal with Swindon Town where he had made seven appearances before he was called back to Anfield. Ilori, meanwhile, has endured a miserable few months at struggling Aston Villa, where he didn't feature once.

Things have become desperate for the Reds at the back, as injuries to Joe Gomez, Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Jon Flanagan, Kolo Toure, and Mamadou Sakho have increased the likelihood that midfielders Lucas Leiva and Emre Can could be asked to man the defence against the Grecians this weekend.

The trip to St James' Park is touted as a potential upset given Liverpool's recent inconsistent form and lengthy injury list.

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