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FOOTBALL | TYLER MORTON INTERVIEW
Blackburn’s FA Cup push spurred by Liverpool loanee Tyler Morton who beat Man City 22-0
Tyler Morton is eyeing promotion and FA Cup glory after ‘perfect’ loan move to Ewood Park, writes Paul Joyce
Morton knew he needed to head out on loan to advance his prospects at Liverpool
Morton knew he needed to head out on loan to advance his prospects at Liverpool.
As Tyler Morton mulled over the next step in his burgeoning career, two conversations would shape his thinking. In the first, he did most of the talking. Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Jürgen Klopp and the Liverpool staff were sounding boards, but the midfielder had already decided last summer that for his own development he needed to branch out.
It led him to a meeting with Blackburn Rovers and, on this occasion, Morton did most of the listening. Alongside him sat his father, Scott, while in front of them Jon Dahl Tomasson, the new head coach, explained why a loan move to Ewood Park made sense.
“I came to speak to the manager face to face because that is what I like to do to get a real feel of the person,” Morton, 20, said. “He wanted me to bring my dad in and speak to him as well, which was brilliant, and that is what edged me to come to Blackburn.
“That was a big thing. My family is massive to me, my dad is massive in my career, and for him [Tomasson] to ask him to come in and tell him what he wants from me — it not only pushes me but my family.
Morton has made 39 appearances for Rovers already this season
“He said what he likes about my game and where I can improve. That’s what I like — honesty. I don’t like someone to tell me what I’m good at. I need someone to tell me where I can get better.
“He wanted me to work harder and he knows that I take criticism really well. That’s why he gives it to me.”
Some 39 appearances later and a relentless schedule continues at a pace. Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Reading bolstered Blackburn’s play-off aspirations, while tomorrow a place in the FA Cup semi-finals will be at stake against fellow Sky Bet Championship side Sheffield United.
That Morton’s father was at his hip at the start of a new adventure felt apt. He has been central to his son’s progress since helping run Greenleas JFC, a prodigious youth side where Morton played alongside Max Woltman, who is also at Liverpool, Lewis Warrington, on loan at Fleetwood Town from Everton, and Sean Wilson, a former Liverpool trainee now looking for a club.
At Under-7 level, they once dismantled Manchester City’s academy team 22-0 in a seven-a-side game. City’s scouts sought to sign up the whole squad, though Liverpool would succeed in bringing Morton into their fold. He joined at the age of seven and all the thousands of training sessions at the academy would bring a reward last season.
There were two starts in the Champions League — Porto at Anfield and AC Milan in the San Siro — a full Premier League debut at Tottenham Hotspur and nine appearances in total in which Morton’s calmness on the ball was married to the coolness of his decision-making. But that he still recognised his progression would be best served by a period away reflects well on the youngster, who is unfailingly polite, according to Blackburn staff, and helped to carry some of the equipment for the photography before this interview.
Morton has thrived as Blackburn push for promotion and are also still in the FA Cup
Morton has thrived as Blackburn push for promotion and are also still in the FA Cup.
“It is not Champions League but it is what I needed,” Morton said; he is following a path taken by Harvey Elliott, who also spent a season at Blackburn. “It is perfect. Coming here was, in my head, a step up: try and play every game and go outside academy football because I didn’t want to be in there for too long, even though I enjoyed it. I came here to be a professional footballer.”
In his absence at Anfield, he has noted the rise of Stefan Bajcetic, 18, whose season has ended prematurely because of injury, but did not feel a pang of jealousy. “I do get asked that question but I am my own player,” Morton, who signed a new deal in January, said. “Stefan is a top quality footballer and a really nice guy. I was absolutely buzzing for him watching him play. Stefan is my mate, team-mate, competition, all in one. I am not a thinker like: ‘Oh, it could have been me.’ I am thinking what I can change now to help me.”
The “100mph” whirr of the Championship has been an eye-opener, with his schedule simplified as a result. Train, play, recover, repeat. The physical and mental demands have been intense, but he has thrived — like Blackburn.
He admits to studying his team-mate Lewis Travis, a former Liverpool trainee, who is particularly adept at the ugly side of the game: landing on second balls, breaking play up, running himself to a standstill.
Tomasson encouraged Morton to make the move and it has paid dividends
Tomasson encouraged Morton to make the move and it has paid off.
“Developing physically has been massive because that was always a doubt for myself,” Morton said. “I wanted to put myself in a position where I had to show I could really do it. Big games, big strong physical sides who, sometimes, don’t want to play football.
“I have it in me to put in tackles, working for the team. I just need to add more and learn little bits from people who specialise in that.”
After the 2-1 fifth-round success over the Premier League’s Leicester City, Morton’s phone pinged with a congratulatory text message from Liverpool assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders which included a glowing appraisal of his display. Midfield reinforcements are being sought at Anfield, though that contact revealed how the home-grown talent remains in their thoughts.
Overall, the long-term dream of being a success with his boyhood club has not changed. It is simply that there are other goals to achieve in the meantime.
“I have too many games to think about what is happening in the summer,” Morton said. “I am a Liverpool fan. The way I play is a Liverpool style — hopefully you can see that in my game.
“But we have a massive ending to the season here. I want Blackburn to get promotion and I want Blackburn to win the FA Cup final. Step by step, I’ll see where it takes me.”
Sheffield United v Blackburn Rovers
FA Cup Quarter-Final
Kick-off 12pm
