“Former Liverpool Prospect Offloaded by Slot Thriving at New Club”

 

 

As Liverpool struggle in the Premier League, one of their former academy graduates is thriving elsewhere following his high-profile exit last summer.

It has been a tough season for Arne Slot’s side. After 23 matches, the defending champions are 14 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, following a 3-2 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Liverpool had fought back from an early deficit with goals from Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai, only for Amine Adli to snatch a stoppage-time winner, leaving the Reds heartbroken. Slot cited the demanding fixture schedule as a factor behind lapses in concentration, alongside injuries and a lack of depth in key areas. “If you play the same players constantly, fatigue can set in, especially against a physically intense Bournemouth side,” he explained.

Liverpool’s midfield has been particularly overburdened lately, raising questions about the summer departure of Tyler Morton.

A product of the Liverpool academy since the age of seven, Morton made his senior debut under Jurgen Klopp and showed early promise. “The first time Tyler appeared, I thought, ‘Who is this player?’” recalled Thiago Alcantara after Morton’s Champions League debut. “I believe he has a bright future at Liverpool and in football overall.”

However, Morton endured a frustrating 2024-25 season, featuring only five times—all in cup competitions. Seeking regular first-team football, the 23-year-old completed a £15 million move to Ligue 1 side Lyon—a decision that benefited all parties.

With Liverpool still grappling with depth issues, it’s clear they could have used a player like Morton in midfield, as the England youth international continues to impress. He was instrumental in Lyon’s 5-2 win over Metz on Sunday, scoring and assisting, just a day after Wataru Endo stepped in at centre-back alongside van Dijk.

In an exclusive October interview with SPORTbible, Morton reflected on his time at Liverpool under Slot: “I think he saw me as a good player, but I didn’t feel fully trusted. In my view, the limited chances were about trust, not ability. When I played in the cup, I gave my best. I stayed focused, finished the season, and also played in the under-21 Euros, which was fantastic.”

“I had discussions with Slot during the season,” he added. “Some players might let frustration affect them, but I’m not like that. I disagreed with my limited game time, but it was out of my control. I gave everything, played for the under-21s when many wouldn’t, and stayed fit and focused for my opportunities, even if they were few.”