Former Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton has discussed winning the league with the Reds and his decision to leave the club for Lyon in the summer transfer window
Tyler Morton
Tyler Morton is now starring for Lyon(Image: Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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Tyler Morton felt he had no choice but to leave Liverpool in the summer and is now loving life with Lyon. The young midfielder was left with conflicting feelings as he fulfilled his dream of winning the Premier League with his hometown club but was unable to play as much as he hoped.
Morton, 23, departed Anfield after 17 years in search of greater playing time. A £15million transfer has seen the midfielder play 21 times for his new club, starting every Ligue 1 match he has been available for, in stark contrast to his 11 appearances under Arne Slot last term.
The academy product was denied a move to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2024 but failed to force his way into Slot's on-field plans and had some injury struggles. Morton still relished the success that took place but was left frustrated too.
Morton has acknowledged that the competition he faced in the centre of the field posed a problem. And the Lyon star is pleased with the environment he now finds himself in.
"Last year was amazing," Morton told Mail Online. "As a fan of Liverpool and a boyhood Red, if I had told myself when I was younger that I would be part of a Premier League-winning team I would bite your hand off. I would do anything for that. It was incredible.
"But also it was very frustrating, obviously. I wanted to win so much because it was my club, the club I love. I wanted to be a Liverpool player. So it was difficult when I realised I wanted and needed to leave.
"I felt really ready to play for Liverpool. But there are different managers, different styles. Whatever he wants. Of course, playing behind the likes of Ryan (Gravenberch) and Dom (Szoboszlai) and Alexis (Mac Allister), all incredible footballers, so I appreciated that.
"Now, though, at Lyon, I am loving it. Loving it. It is a lovely place to live and play football. I am just really enjoying playing games again. Last season, obviously, was difficult. This season is amazing to play in front of fans, especially these Lyon fans because they are so passionate.
Tyler Morton
Tyler Morton has impressed(Image: Alex MARTIN / AFP via Getty Images)
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"It is a massive club with a lot of history. One I could not say no to. A nice warm place my family can call home. The football this manager [Paulo Fonseca] plays is the perfect style for me. It ticked lots of boxes. It was a big decision for me to leave home and what I know best, but I am well ready."
Morton believes that it has been the ideal move for him to join Lyon but he still benefits from his Liverpool connections. "It is great for players my age to go out and experience different cultures, different countries, different people," he added.
"My mate Jarell [Quansah at Bayer Leverkusen] is doing amazing after going abroad. Sometimes the answer is not staying in England and the Premier League, it is to go to a big club in a different country and learn a lot. I am definitely finding myself, I am really happy here.
"My friends and the people I grew up with all understood I was ready to play for a big club. And they have been nothing but great for me. I have friends for life at Liverpool. I have grown up with Conor Bradley since I was 11 or 12, I have known Jarell since I was four or five.
"And I am very, very close with Harvey (Elliott). They are my closest mates and I go and see them if I am at home. They watch my games when possible and it is lovely to get feedback from players who are playing at such a high level. It is amazing to have friends in football like that."
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