Northern Ireland international Kieran Morrison has outlined his desire to become “an option” for new Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola after scoring a maiden Reds goal in their 4-2 pre-season win over Sunderland in America.
Morrison has been a top performer for Liverpool’s U21s – he scored 14 times and provided four assists in 19 Premier League 2 appearances last term – and made his senior debut in the EFL Cup alongside featuring in the FA Cup.
The 19-year-old has been rewarded with a chance to impress new boss Iraola, who took over from Arne Slot this summer, and wasted no time in making an impression, netting just 13 minutes into Saturday’s victory in Nashville.
With talisman Mohamed Salah departing Anfield at the end of last season, a vacancy has opened up in Liverpool’s attack.
Kieran Morrison celebrates Liverpool's opening goal against Sunderland. (Photo by AP Photo/George Walker IV)placeholder image
Kieran Morrison celebrates Liverpool's opening goal against Sunderland. (Photo by AP Photo/George Walker IV)
The Reds have been linked with big-money moves for RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and PSG winger Bradley Barcola, but if Iraola decides to look closer to home and promote youth, Morrison could get an opportunity to shine.
"The first goal in pre-season feels very good and I'm proud,” Morrison told Liverpool’s website. “I was just glad to get on the plane in the first place for pre-season and I'm glad he (Iraola) trusted me to start.
"I'm glad to help the team with a goal. We'll see where that takes me now.
"Everyone knows the right-wing options are a bit scarce so I'm just trying to put my foot down whether I'm just an option for him to think about.
"That's the main thing. Whatever I can do I'm going to do it to the best of my abilities.
"I want to play as many minutes as I can. I want to help the team as much as I can. I want to help the team and I want to score at Anfield.
"Last season I played two games but it wasn't to my standard. I was on the bench a lot and I know I can give more.”
Morrison and his Liverpool team-mates have been adjusting to new information provided by Iraola, who helped Bournemouth qualify for Europe by finishing sixth in last season’s Premier League.
A role for Morrison in the Reds’ senior squad would be welcomed by Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill after he made his debut in June’s friendly win over Guinea.
Morrison came up against Northern Ireland colleagues Dan Ballard and Trai Hume, who both started for Sunderland, and has embraced getting to learn from Iraola.
“I just got the ball and I didn't really think about it,” he reflected on his goal. “I just let it overtake me all the time in training and you don't really think about it as much on the pitch.
"It's just instinct, you just do it, and Harvey (Elliott), top player! When he's in the No.10 [position] sometimes I roll in and he rolls out. It's a good combination.
“It's like a new philosophy this past week. Whatever he's been doing at Bournemouth, it's obviously worked.
"He's one of the best managers in the league. He's come here and he's taught me varied and different playing styles. He's telling me things I've never heard of before. It's a credit to Andoni.”