'I've been learning': Tyler Morton says how Arne Slot has been 'testing' him in Liverpool training
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Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton has heaped praise on Arne Slot after being handed his first competitive senior appearance for two-and-a-half years.
Morton appeared as a late substitute in the League Cup third round win over West Ham on Wednesday, having spent the last two seasons away from Liverpool.
The 21-year-old headed to Blackburn Rovers for the 2022/23 season, before returning to the Championship with Hull City last time out.
Harvey Elliott loved seeing Morton come on against West Ham, with the latter following that appearance by shining for the club's Under-21s.
He grabbed a goal and assist as the young Reds defeated Arsenal Under-21s 3-0 in the Premier League 2 on Friday.
Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton reveals work with Arne Slot
Neil Mellor says Morton is too good for the Under-21s, with the midfielder having now made his way back into the senior side.
And he feels he has Slot to thank, with Morton telling the latest edition of the official LFC matchday programme: "The manager has come in and tactically stamped his authority hugely. I think that's a massive credit to him and his coaching staff.
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"For myself, it's been a massive learning period and a period in which I've had to be really patient and wait for that chance to come, but I've been really working hard on myself.
"To be a Liverpool footballer you've got to be able to do a lot of things and for me that means playing both midfield positions as the six and the eight who drops deeper to help the number six.
"I've been learning both positions and the manager's been testing me and putting me in positions where I need to get better, which is only going to help me."
Tyler Morton says how Arne Slot has changed his game at Liverpool
Morton has clearly done enough to impress Slot in these early stages of his tenure given his cameo against the Hammers.
Moreover, the likes of fellow midfielders Bobby Clark and Stefan Bajcetic were moved on in the summer transfer window, albeit the latter's is just a loan.
It will, however, be very difficult for the youngster to fully break into Slot's XI given the impressive displays of his senior midfielders.
Morton is behind the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones in the pecking order, although more minutes are likely to go his way given the need for rotation.
The 21-year-old does, at least, have a clear idea of where he wants to play under Slot, with Morton adding: "That number eight is the position that I always played when I was younger, before I came into professional football. I used to be a box-to-box eight, defending and then getting into the box to score goals and create.
"The manager's changed my game really well and he's helping to develop me in situations that I probably wouldn't have had the chance to be in when I was playing in just the six role.
"I've found it tough at times being on the bench or not being on the bench but I feel that my head is really screwed on so I'm working on what I can do and giving everything I can to be available to play."
