Liverpool's Morton on "class" Arteta, Anfield ambitions and growing up at Hull

15 December 2023 , 13:39

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Tyler Morton will never forget his Premier League debut for Liverpool – and nor will Mikel Arteta.

‌It was the game where the Arsenal boss tried to prepare his players for the Kop's boisterous soundtrack by piping Anfield's crowd noise through loudspeakers across the Gunners' training ground. Nice idea, shame about the result. Arteta's men lost 4-0.

‌The ploy was unveiled on the access-all-areas documentary All Or Nothing: Arsenal and, from the bench, Morton was afforded the bonus of a ringside seat as Arteta and Jurgen Klopp earned both managers yellow cards for squabbling without due care and attention on the touchline. Two years on, 21-year-old Morton is earning rave reviews on loan at Hull City, where he has won the EFL Young Player of the Month gong for November.

‌He was in decent nick again as the Tigers – surprise promotion contenders in the Championship – won 2-1 at Middlesbrough on Wednesday night, ever-grateful for game time on the pitch and thankful for his early taste of the Mersey beat in Liverpool's midfield.

‌“You never forget your Premier League debut,” he said. “I came on for the last 10 minutes or so and it was a surreal feeling because I had been dreaming about the opportunity for so long. Being a young lad from the area, you have to be patient to break into the first team set-up, so to come on in a game where Liverpool showed what they are all about, was special. I watched the Arsenal documentary and I thought what Arteta did was class. Knowing I had played in that game brought it all flooding back.”

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Liverpool's Morton on "class" Arteta, Anfield ambitions and growing up at Hull

Tyler Morton made his Liverpool debut as a substitute against Arsenal in November 2021 (Getty Images)

‌Piece of cake, this Premier League lark, isn't it? You sit on the bench for 80-odd minutes, come on at 4-0 up with the points in the bag and enjoy a debut cameo with no pressure.

‌“I promise you it didn't feel like a piece of cake,” laughed Wallasey-born Morton, whose family are all diehard Reds. “But the team was so positive, the fans were so positive and it wasn't like coming on at 1-0 down when you're chasing the game. It was a really nice feeling when everyone was congratulating me straight after the game, knowing I had contributed to a win for the team I've always loved.”

Morton has excelled on loan at Hull City this season (Greig Cowie/REX/Shutterstock)

‌Morton is on course for a double celebration at either end of the M62 this season if Hull make the play-offs and Liverpool sustain their title challenge. He is taking nothing for granted, insisting all his energy is channelled into Tiger feats on the pitch but admitting the Premier League table makes “happy reading” for Liverpool right now.

‌“It's a positive time for the club with home-grown players playing a big part, said Morton. “Harvey Elliott, who went down the same road as me by going out on loan to the Championship, scored the winner at Crystal Palace and he's shown there is a pathway from the academy into the first team.

‌“It gives all the young players a real kick to see what can be done if you are prepared to back yourself, go out on loan and play regularly. I know, from my experience at Blackburn last year and now at Hull City, that it's given me so much more confidence in myself as a player and person.

‌“It's massively important for young players to get game time on the pitch. My comfort zone would be sitting on a bench every week and living the Premier League life, but it's important to get out of your comfort zone and test yourself. Coming here to Hull has made me grow so much as a player and showcase my talent. I've got a long way to go, but I feel I can push through and show the player I am.

Morton has been named EFL Young Player of the Month for November (Courtesy of Hull City)

‌“Finding your feet at this level is not easy because it's a big level and the standards are higher than a lot of people think. It's a very different environment from Under-23 football – in the Championship you're playing in front of big crowds every week and I love the fans at Hull because they have taken me under their wing and helped me to improve. When a crowd takes a liking to you, it gives you a massive boost. I got a taste of it at Blackburn last season and decided I liked it.”

‌Hull, who host Cardiff this weekend, are worth watching. Apart from Morton anchoring their midfield with assurance beyond his years, winger Jaden Philogene and on-loan Manchester City forward Liam Delap have looked a cut above.

‌Morton said: “We've got a cracking team – it's a new team, a new group, and we've adapted really well. Even when we haven't won, we've often dominated games without always getting what we deserved.

‌“The great thing about the Championship is that it's relentless. You never have to wait long for the next game to come round if you want to bounce back and I wouldn't have it any other way.”