.Tyler Morton has revealed how Liverpool blocked a potential move to Bayer Leverkusen last summer, a decision that ultimately shaped the midfielder’s path to Lyon earlier this year.
The Reds had made a calculated choice in agreeing to a £15 million exit for Morton, with the thinking at the time appearing logical. Ryan Gravenberch had emerged as Arne Slot’s preferred holding midfielder, while Stefan Bajcetic and Wataru Endo were retained to provide depth. Yet, just months later, the narrative has shifted dramatically.
The 22-year-old has quickly established himself as a standout performer at Lyon, becoming a fan favourite thanks to his composure in possession and intelligence off the ball. Supporters who followed his progress at Liverpool’s academy had long believed a path into the first-team midfield was achievable.
Many expected his impressive loan spell at Hull City during the 2023-24 season would secure a role in Slot’s rotation. Instead, his influence has now been exported to Ligue 1, where he is thriving.
Speaking candidly about his final season at Liverpool, Morton was frank about the lack of opportunities he received under Slot and the feeling that trust was missing.
“I think he thought I was a good player, but I don’t feel the trust was there as much. In my opinion, the limited opportunities were down to trust and not ability,” Morton told SPORTbible.
He reflected on the cup appearances he did make: “When I got my opportunity in the cup, I felt like I played well. That’s all I could say. I stuck at it, stayed focused, got through to the end of the season and played in the under-21 Euros, which was amazing.”
Despite his frustrations, Morton emphasised his professional attitude throughout the season.
“I had a few conversations with him [Slot] during the season. A lot of footballers can be bitter about not playing and let their egos get in the way, but I’m not that type of lad,” he said.
Morton admitted he disagreed with the limited opportunities he was given, but accepted it was largely out of his control.
“I personally disagreed with the limited amount of game time I got last season, but that was out of my control. I did everything I could. I played for the under-21s when a lot of players wouldn’t.
I did everything in my power to stay fit and mentally focused for when my time came, and I still got limited opportunities. I just wanted to play. I don’t think I was asking for too much, even if it was coming off the bench in the Premier League… anything, to be honest.”
A key moment of frustration came in Liverpool’s Champions League trip to PSV, where Morton had hoped to feature.
“I think the PSV game – when I had to keep my head fully – was difficult. It was a dead rubber match, they’d already gone through in the Champions League, and I didn’t start. That’s when pure frustration kicked in,” he admitted.
Morton also revealed he had played through pain to try to earn minutes. “I’d agreed to get my [shoulder] operation a couple of weeks after the PSV game, but I played through the pain for that opportunity to play in the Champions League.”
Despite the disappointment of his final season at Liverpool, Morton has made a strong start in France. He has already featured eight times for Lyon, including twice in European competition, and has scored his first goal for his new club.
Under manager Paulo Fonseca, Morton has become a regular in the midfield, a consistency he was never able to enjoy at Anfield.
Reflecting on his journey, Morton said: “I’m really proud of myself for getting through last season and getting myself to this position.”
Morton’s move to Lyon came after a season in which he barely featured for Liverpool’s first team. He did not play a single minute in the Premier League as Liverpool secured the title and was limited to cup appearances, which were curtailed further by a shoulder injury from January onwards.
In the end, Morton represented the Under-21s in the final weeks of the season, highlighting the gulf between his potential and the opportunities he was given at his boyhood club.
Liverpool had initially blocked a move to Bayer Leverkusen before the 2024-25 season, a chance for Morton to link up with one of his boyhood idols, Xabi Alonso. That disappointment has lingered, alongside a sense that Slot did not place enough faith in him.
Yet, in Lyon, Morton has found a platform to showcase the quality that Liverpool fans had long admired.
He has started six of Lyon’s seven league games this season, missing one through suspension, and scored the winning goal against Lille at the end of September.
The midfielder has finally found the regular first-team football he craved, and after 17 years at Liverpool, he is proving himself all over again.
