Tyler Morton made his first appearance of the season during Liverpool’s 5-1 victory over West Ham in the Carabao Cup, stepping onto the field in the second half at Anfield. This marked his first senior appearance for the Reds since March 2022.
Morton’s return to the first team follows successful loan spells with Blackburn and Hull City in the Championship, and came after several clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen, expressed interest in him over the summer. However, despite receiving offers, Liverpool chose to retain the 21-year-old midfielder, leaving many to wonder why he hadn’t featured more prominently so far this season.
That may be set to change, though, as Morton revealed he’s been undergoing a series of challenges in training under manager Arne Slot. Speaking in the official matchday program, Morton shared his thoughts on the period of waiting and learning he has experienced recently.
“It’s been a huge learning phase for me, and I’ve had to be patient, waiting for my opportunity,” he explained. “But I’ve been working hard on improving myself.”
As a Liverpool player, Morton understands the importance of versatility. “To play for this club, you need to be capable of a lot of different things. For me, that means being able to play both midfield roles — the No. 6 and the No. 8, who drops deeper to support the No. 6.”
He continued, “I’ve been learning both roles, and the manager’s been pushing me into situations where I need to improve, which is only going to help my development.”
Morton also reflected on his past, sharing that the No. 8 position is one he played throughout his youth career, long before entering professional football. “I used to be a box-to-box No. 8, getting back to defend and moving forward to score or create chances.”
But under Slot’s guidance, his role has evolved. “The manager has really adapted my game, helping me grow in areas I might not have explored if I had only stayed in the No. 6 role.”
Despite finding it difficult to be left out of matchday squads at times, Morton maintains a positive outlook. “It’s tough, but I’m focused and committed to improving every day. I’m doing everything I can to be ready whenever I’m called upon.”
Now, with Slot’s first season well underway, there are signs that Morton could soon play a more prominent role. He faces competition from talented players like Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo, but he sees that as a positive.
“I thrive on healthy competition, and we have plenty of that here,” he said. “This is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and it’s a privilege to be a part of it. Every day I fight and compete to make sure I’m ready for whatever comes next.”
As Slot continues to shape his squad, it seems likely that Morton could find more opportunities to prove his worth and contribute to Liverpool’s success.
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