Liverpool have gone quiet in terms of incomings but they are working on finding suitors for their emerging academy prospects who, so far, have featured sporadically under Jurgen Klopp. The Championship clubs have stepped in for a few of their teenage prospects and according to the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn Rovers have struck a deal with Liverpool for Tyler Morton on a season-long loan.
Although the move is now on hold as the Reds are assessing the injury woe of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the 19-year-old midfield prodigy is still expected to ply his trade at Ewood Park at some stage this window.
Despite featuring against both Manchester United and Crystal Palace, Morton was not involved in their 5-0 pre-season friendly win against RB Leipzig. Jurgen Klopp deployed 17-year-old Stefan Bajcetic as a holding midfielder and this decision has caused the fans to speculate whether the exit is imminent for the young Englishman.
Morton joined the Merseysiders at the age of seven but made significant strides of late through their academy ranks. He went on to make 9 senior appearances last season across competitions, including a Premier League start against Tottenham Hotspur in North London as well as the full 90 minutes versus Porto in a UEFA Champions League group stage encounter.
Risky Yet Right Call From Liverpool
Klopp, meanwhile, praised (as quoted by Lancs.Live) his prized asset a few days ago while analyzing his midfield options.
“By the way, Tyler Morton in training, incredible! He plays as a No. 8 now. We don’t force him to play as a controlling No. 6 in a Premier League game. He’s training as an eight, and it’s like ‘wow, how good is that?!’ He’s still here.”
This statement of the German chief must excite the Rovers fans who have lost Bradley Johnson, Jacob Davenport and Joe Rothwell so far this summer. The Riversiders hold a good relationship with Liverpool, having loaned in Harvey Elliott and Leighton Clarkson already in the previous years. New boss Jon Dahl Tomasson is keen on bolstering themselves in the centre of the pitch, and the exposure Morton has received over the past 12 months, should see him leaving an impression in the Championship.
The Reds, on the other hand, are determined to rope in Jude Bellingham next summer. They are content with Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones, Fabinho and Oxlade-Chamberlain for the time being, but a crisis might hit them hard in the centre of the pitch given the past injury records of Thiago, Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain. Milner, 36, is only a sporadic option, and the potential departure of Morton should see Bajcetic being promoted for the Cup encounters unless they change their recruitment stance.
