Liverpool transfer reaction as Harvey Elliott sends message to Tyler Morton following his £15m switch to Lyon
Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, Tyler Morton and Harvey Elliott celebrate winning the 2024/25 Premier League with Liverpool
Harvey Elliott sent a message to Tyler Morton(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool star Harvey Elliott has said he is 'proud' of good friend Tyler Morton after the 22-year-old completed a permanent exit from the club. There remains ongoing speculation over the former's future on Merseyside, too, with less than four weeks to complete transfers this summer.
Morton grew up in the Reds' academy from the age of seven, broke into Jurgen Klopp's team for the first time in September 2021 and went on to total 14 senior appearances. The midfielder was kept to play a squad role as the club won the Premier League under Arne Slot last season, now a £15 million switch to French side Lyon has been sealed.
Since he signed for Liverpool as a 16-year-old from Fulham in 2019, Elliott has been a teammate of Morton's. The same age, they share the experience of a year on loan to Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers and then breaking into the senior squad.
So it will have been an emotional moment to see such a close colleague depart for a fresh challenge. Elliott has taken to Instagram to share a message to now former teammate.
"My brother @tylermorton6. So proud my mate!! Deserve it more than anyone [two red heart emojis]," it read on a story of his, reposting Lyon's video announcing the signing.
Harvey Elliott reacts to Tyler Morton leaving Liverpool
Harvey Elliott reacts to Tyler Morton leaving Liverpool
The academy graduate's exit takes Liverpool's transfer income through sales up to £145m total in the summer of 2025. An added bonus of this particular deal is a 20 percent sell-on clause as part of any future move.
And supporters will have to wait to discover any similar deal happens to be agreed involving Elliott in the final weeks of the window.
All summer long the attacking midfield prospect has been linked with a move to other clubs. Even as Morton's move to France was confirmed, The Daily Mail's Dominic King claimed West Ham United had been interested but failed to act before Lyon did - the London club had been interested in a double swoop for the pair.
Elliott has been open and honest about the situation too, saying that he would have to consider a 'selfish' decision for the sake of more playing time to meet his overall career ambitions.
"If I had it my way I would be here for the rest of my career, it's as simple as that," Elliott told The Anfield Wrap.
"I love everything about the club, but at the same time I kind of need to be selfish and see what's best for me. I have big ambitions. I want to get in the World Cup squad.
"I want to keep being successful as a player. It's something I still need to review. I need to have a talk with everyone and review the situation. we have many new players who have come in so whether it blocks the path for me I'm not sure.
"It's something I need to have a look at and decide."
Elliott was a goalscorer in the first of the two friendlies played against Athletic Club on Monday at Anfield. His strike, powerful from inside the penalty area, was followed by a celebration in which he pounded the Liverpool crest on his shirt.
After the match concluded the young star also took his time to applaud the fans in each of Anfield's four stands, even blowing a kiss in the direction of The Kop.