Tyler Morton makes 'ruthless' Liverpool admission as…

Tyler Morton makes 'ruthless' Liverpool admission as loan transfer stance made clear

Tyler Morton has outlined the "ruthless" nature of senior football after a young Liverpool team suffered a harsh lesson against Strasbourg.

A Reds side including eight teenagers - six of whom have yet to start a game for the first team - were beaten 3-0 at home by the French outfit on Sunday evening in the final pre-season friendly before the start of the Premier League campaign.

With Jurgen Klopp's senior squad having been involved in the Community Shield win over Manchester City the previous day, the focus was instead on the next generation, with goalkeeper Harvey Davies, defenders Isaac Mabaya and Luke Chambers and midfielder Stefan Bajcetic joining summer signing Fabio Carvalho in making their first outings in front of a large Anfield crowd.

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And Morton believes the game was an example to the youngsters of the standard required at first-team level.

"That’s what we need to learn, especially the lads making their debuts and the lads that are coming through because it’s completely different to youth team football," said the 19-year-old, who has made nine appearances for the first team.

"It’s ruthless at the end of the day, no matter how much possession you’ve got it doesn’t mean you’re going to win the game. They (Strasbourg) had a clear set-up and you can tell they’re clear professionals, so we have to appreciate that sometimes."

Morton broke into the Liverpool first team last season having progressed through the Academy ranks, making starts in the League Cup, Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

The teenager is still poised to spend the season on loan at Championship side Blackburn Rovers, although the move has been put on temporary hold due to injury concerns over Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones.

"I try to help out the lads that are younger than me," said Morton. "Even the likes of Bobby (Clark) and Mel (Frauendorf). Coming in to play was obviously tough and it was tough when I first came up, so I’m going to have to help them as much as I can.

“It’s a massive learning curve for us youngsters I’m really proud of everyone because they’re not just my team-mates, they’re my friends. It’s nice to see them out on Anfield and share the pitch with them."

Morton, speaking to liverpoolfc.com, added: "(I’ve) just got to push on and impress. Hopefully I’m doing that. I’m happy where I am at the moment. I’ve just got to keep working hard and keep trying to get better and improve.

"I’ve been around for a while; I know the lads. It was hard when I first came. You don’t really know anyone; you’ve got to stay around the youngsters. Hopefully I’m maturing and getting more like a professional myself.

"You’re around the best players in the world so you’ve got to watch everything they do, even off the pitch. I always say it is just learning for me. Every day is learning. You just keep trying to impress and keep learning off the best and see where it goes."

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