A Liverpool academy graduate, once told by Arne Slot that he wasn’t part of his long-term plans, is now making waves at his new club.
The Reds’ unbeaten run came to an end over the weekend with a 2-1 loss against Crystal Palace, and while much of the attention has been on their summer signings – Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and two fresh full-backs – questions are being asked about whether Liverpool may have been too quick to part ways with certain players.
One name at the centre of this debate is Tyler Morton. The 22-year-old midfielder, who made five appearances under Slot last season, was sold to Lyon for around £15 million. At the time, the fee was considered reasonable for the homegrown talent, but Morton has wasted no time in showing his worth in France.
At the weekend, he grabbed his first goal for Lyon in a 1-0 victory over Lille, underlining the strong impression he has already made since arriving in Ligue 1.
Reflecting on his Liverpool exit, Morton explained that while Jurgen Klopp had played a huge role in his growth, Slot had been upfront about his lack of opportunities.
> “Klopp gave me the chance to play at the highest level and trusted me with big games in the Champions League and Premier League,” Morton said.
“With Arne Slot, it was different – I didn’t feature as much as I believed I could. He was honest with me, and in the end, I had to choose another path.”
Before his permanent move abroad, Morton had already gained valuable experience through loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and Hull City, before returning to Liverpool last season. However, with Ryan Gravenberch cementing his place in midfield, minutes were limited for the youngster.
Now, in Lyon, Morton’s performances have sparked admiration. In fact, Sky Sports journalist Victor Lefaucheux has even drawn comparisons between him and Casemiro, the decorated Brazilian midfielder who lifted five Champions League titles with Real Madrid.
For Liverpool, it raises the question: did they let go of a player too soon?
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