“I wasn’t happy with the way things went at Liverpool — I felt Arne Slot didn’t really have faith in me.”

Former Liverpool Prospect Opens Up on Difficult Exit After Blocked Dream Transfer

 

Tyler Morton has revealed the challenges he faced leaving Liverpool and trying to break into Arne Slot’s plans after being denied a dream move to Bayer Leverkusen.

 

The 22-year-old midfielder explained that Liverpool prevented him from joining Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen despite holding talks with the Bundesliga club’s manager at the time. Morton eventually departed Anfield this summer, completing a transfer to Lyon worth up to £15 million.

 

He had chances to leave the previous year but saw his plans halted by incoming boss Arne Slot. A January offer from Middlesbrough was also turned down, leaving Morton on the fringes during what proved to be his final season with the Reds.

 

Limited to just five appearances across all competitions — and an unused substitute 14 more times — Morton failed to make a Premier League outing last term. Reflecting on that period, he admitted disagreeing with his lack of minutes under Slot but insisted there were no hard feelings, as he revealed how Liverpool blocked his move to Leverkusen.

 

> “I was on a golf course with my mates when my agent texted me saying, ‘Xabi Alonso’s going to call you soon,’” Morton told SPORTbible. “I’d heard about the move but didn’t think much of it since I’d already been told I wasn’t leaving Liverpool.

 

“Xabi told me how highly he rated me and that they wanted to sign me. Leverkusen came in late that summer, but when I spoke to the manager [Slot], he made it clear Liverpool wanted me to stay.

 

“I pushed for the move, but Liverpool said no. The manager was honest with me — he said he needed me as part of the squad. Some players just have to take that role.”

 

 

 

Morton admitted the situation was frustrating:

 

> “I wanted to be starting games — ideally at Liverpool, the club I love — but it wasn’t going to happen.”

The young midfielder made only 14 senior appearances in total for Liverpool, with just two in the Premier League. Looking back, he believes Slot simply didn’t trust him enough.

 

> “I think he saw me as a good player, but I don’t think the trust was fully there,” Morton continued. “For me, it wasn’t about ability — it was about trust.

 

“I stayed focused, played when called upon, and finished the season strong with the Under-21 Euros. I didn’t let frustration turn into bitterness.”

 

This summer, however, things were different. With Lyon showing serious intent early on, Morton made sure the move went through.

 

> “I was in Japan when I heard Lyon wanted to buy me,” he said. “After last season, Liverpool understood I needed to play. They were great with me about it.

 

“Paulo Fonseca [Lyon manager] told me I’d be playing straight away, and as soon as I got back from Japan, I pushed hard to make it happen. It was the right move.”

 

Despite the emotional connection to Liverpool, Morton knew the time had come.

 

> “It was tough to leave, but mentally I was ready,” he added. “I just wanted to get the deal done and start playing football again.