'Superb': Liverpool told they've got a youngster who proved he's 'far too good' to play in the U21s last night
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Liverpool U21s recorded a really impressive victory on Friday night as they beat Arsenal 3-0.
The Reds’ youngsters have started the season well, winning four out of their first five Premier League 2 games under Barry Lewtas.
The trip to Arsenal was their most daunting of the season yet, with the Gunners having boasted a perfect record in their opening four matches.
But the Liverpool academy boys did not back down. An excellent result followed and there were some clear standout performers down in London.
Liverpool have shown that there is now an open pathway from the academy up to the first-team. And wins like this suggest that the talent is there to capitalise on those opportunities.
One player who has already made his mark in the Liverpool squad is Tyler Morton. And on Friday, Morton proved exactly why he deserves a little more game time under Arne Slot.
Tyler Morton shows his class
Morton has been limited to just one, ten-minute substitute appearance for Liverpool this season. If things had gone as planned, though, the 21-year-old may not have been with the Reds at all.
Heading towards the final days of the transfer window it looked like Morton would be sold to Bayer Leverkusen.
However, Liverpool would not accept a loan for Morton and with the asking price for a permanent sale not suiting the Bundesliga champions, the midfielder stayed put.
Morton could have kicked up a fuss about that – and his lack of ensuing minutes – but the young man is a model professional and a positive influence.
READ MORE: Harvey Elliott delighted for Tyler Morton after first Liverpool appearance of the season
Never has that been more apparant than in Morton’s performance for the U21s on Friday night. Having been in the first-team two days before, he could have been forgiven for being disappointed at dropping back down.
But instead, Morton took any frustration out on the pitch, registering a goal and an assist in the 3-0 win. And taking to X after the game, former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor singled the former Hull loanee out.
“Great team performance from the u21s tonight,” says Mellor. “Deserved win.
“Tyler Morton showing far too good for this level with a superb attitude and performance. Nallo, Morton, Young with goals. Harvey Davies shown a bizarre red card with 10 mins to go. 2 yellows in 7secs.”
What is the plan with Tyler Morton?
It is not a surprise to hear that Morton was a cut above the rest of the players on the pitch on Friday.
Having played two full seasons in the Championship – as well as 10 games for the Liverpool first-team – the No.80 looks set for a career at a very good level.
For the moment, however, Morton finds himself way down the pecking order for Slot.
Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win over West Ham will have given him hope that he is in the plans of the Liverpool head coach, but Slot still showed that he doesn’t trust Morton even in a much rotated side.
It remains to be seen whether stints like this in the U21s become the norm for Morton this season, but that isn’t what his development needs. If no more first-team minutes are forthcoming, then he needs to look for a loan in January.
