Arne Slot Halted Liverpool Exit Following Unexpected Call from Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso held a short phone conversation with one of his key transfer targets last year, but the move never happened after Liverpool decided to block it.

As the 2024 summer transfer window came to a close, Alonso was eager to strengthen his Bayer Leverkusen squad ahead of their domestic and European campaigns. The club brought in several players — including Martin Terrier from Rennes for £20 million and Aleix Garcia from Girona — but Alonso also wanted to add Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton.

Morton, who debuted for Liverpool in the Premier League and Champions League in 2021, had enjoyed successful loan spells at Blackburn and Hull City, where he became a standout performer. His form caught Leverkusen’s attention, with the German side reportedly willing to pay around £20 million for him.

Now excelling at Lyon after his £15 million transfer, Morton has revealed details of that call with Alonso, who has since taken over as Real Madrid manager.

“It’s quite a funny story,” he told SPORTbible. “I was playing golf with my mates when my agent texted me saying, ‘Xabi Alonso’s going to call you soon.’ I’d heard about the interest but didn’t think too much of it since I’d been told I wasn’t leaving Liverpool.”

During the brief chat, Alonso praised the young midfielder. “He told me how much he admired me as a player,” Morton said, describing it as a dream moment.

Leverkusen had tried to secure him on loan, with other European clubs like Atalanta and RB Leipzig also interested, but Liverpool chose to keep him. “They came in quite late that summer,” Morton explained. “I spoke with the manager (Arne Slot) and my agent about it, but Liverpool wanted me to stay. We pushed for the move, but it just wasn’t possible.”

Since joining Lyon, Morton has made an immediate impact — winning Player of the Match on his home debut against Metz and scoring the decisive goal versus Lille in September.