£20m Liverpool player's career now looks doomed after what happened against PSV Eindhoven - opinion

01/30/2025 11:00 AM

Liverpool supporters will have learned a lot about their team during Wednesday’s 3-2 loss against PSV Eindhoven.

It was always going to be an interesting night for the Reds, with plenty of rarely-seen faces making the trip to the Netherlands.

Although robbed of the chance to watch their usual favourites, there was still plenty of intrigue for fans within the Liverpool starting XI.

Arne Slot made some relatively big calls, moving Andy Robertson to centre-back and making Jayden Danns a record-breaker in Europe for Liverpool.

However, perhaps the most telling of Slot’s decisions was to start James McConnell in midfield over Tyler Morton.

Morton is two years McConnell’s senior and has been the go-to man in the domestic cups so far this season. But having been relegated to a 38-minute cameo, Morton now looks doomed to accept a disappointing fate at Liverpool.

Tyler Morton preparing to leave Liverpool

It has been a tough season for Morton. His second-half appearances at PSV was just his fifth of the season, and his first in either the Premier League or Champions League.

After doing well against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup earlier this month, Morton suggested he was looking to leave Liverpool in the January window.

While that so far hasn’t materialised, the 22-year-old’s lack of action on Wednesday could point to an exit brewing behind the scenes.

With such a rotated team in place, it had felt virtually certain that Morton would start in Eindhoven.

READ MORE: Peter Bosz slams PSV Eindhoven players after 'totally out of order' behaviour against Liverpool

That he didn’t could suggest that a move is in the pipeline between now and Monday’s deadline.

Even if that is not the case, failing to make the grade with Liverpool’s four most used midfielders not even in the squad does not bode well for Morton.

James McConnell adds final nail to the coffin

If having to start on the bench was bad enough for Morton on Wednesday, then the eye-catching display McConnell produced in his stead made things even worse.

The 20-year-old was given the full 90 minutes, looking assured, composed and tenacious alongside Wataru Endo and then Morton himself.

Slot raved about McConnell after the game, even hinting that the youngster had played his way out of consideration for a loan move before the window shuts.

Of course, McConnell doing well does not have to be bad news for Morton, but it does feel as though there is only really space for one of them within the Liverpool squad.

In our opinion, Morton is the more accomplished player. But with summer suggestions that Liverpool want £20m for the academy graduate, he is also the more profitable asset. Furthermore, Rousing The Kop understands that West Ham are weighing up a move for Morton before Monday’s transfer deadline.

Whether the Hammers firm up interest remains to be seen. But, unfortunately, Morton’s Liverpool career now looks to be doomed.