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Liverpool could start 18-year-old who’s been compared to Xavi v PNE, fans would be thrilled – TBR View
Liverpool are in Carabao Cup action tonight, hoping to follow up their incredible weekend win by reaching the quarter-finals of the competition.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are away at Preston, who are currently 19th in the Championship table.
There’s a good chance the Liverpool boss will field a number of fringe players and youngsters in Lancashire tonight.
And one academy ace who looks likely to start is Tyler Morton.
Klopp’s midfield is currently missing several key players and, even though they should be back soon, tonight might be too early.
James Milner is expected to be out until the international break, Naby Keita has a bruise on his leg, and Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara are also out for now.
That leaves three senior centre-mids in Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
With Liverpool in action on Saturday, Klopp probably won’t risk all three against Preston, so Morton is likely to come in.
The 18-year-old midfielder has been at the academy since the age of seven and made his Under-23s debut in 2020-21.
Morton netted 10 goals for the U18s and U23s in 2020-21 and played a key role as the young Reds reached the FA Youth Cup final.
This season, he has made 14 competitive appearances in all competitions, including his senior debut in the Carabao Cup win over Norwich.
Morton was credited with changing the game against the Canaries after replacing Keita at half-time.
“Tyler, really, he gave us the opportunity to connect again,” quoted Klopp as saying.
“He just played simple, passed the ball in the right spaces, defended the right spaces.”
Some Liverpool fans have even compared him to the likes of Xavi, Dietmar Hamann and Luis Alberto:
Tyler Morton looks different gravy. Reminds me a lot of
— Tim (@timmybabes)
Very good debut 👏.
Tyler Morton has impressed me a lot this pre-season. His sharpness and speed of thought is incredible. He really understands football. He has a good frame to him too so once he fills out he could be a truly special midfielder.
— Akeno Menzies (@AbdxlA)
Reminds me a lot of Luis Alberto when he was here.
Tyler Morton. Wool Xavi.
— J (@__JS98)
The combination of a cup game, Klopp’s tendency to give youngsters game time in those competitions, and a depleted midfield means Morton could potentially even start.
And if he does, then Liverpool fans could potentially see another step in the making of yet another rising star at Anfield.