Liverpool struggled a lot in the 2022/23 season, which meant a big summer transfer window was ahead of them.
The Reds made four signings in the window, and all four of them where midfielders. A number of the ones at the club would either leave permanently or look for temporary football to increase their chances of playing at Anfield the following season.
Tyler Morton is among the latter, after making a loan move to Hull City in the transfer window, and it’s fair to say the young midfielder has shone in those organe colours.
Tiger’s boss, Liam Rosenior has got the best out of Morton so far in his career, and the boss has spoke proudly of the Englishman multiple times.
Many wouldn’t have expected a future for the midfielder on Merseyside before this season, but Morton has proved he can do it at a good level, as his team look to claim a place in the Championship playoffs, but what is it he offers his team?
Defensive Standout
Hull have appearanced two different types of formations this season. The 4231 has been featured sometime, but the most frequent formation has been a 442, with Morton sitting in the middle of the park.
Recently he’s shared the midfield position with Jean Michael Seri who sits on his left. When looking at the heat maps of the two, Seri has the creative freedom of the two. Although Morton does find himself high up the field from time to time, ultimately his job is to defend.
The 21-year-old has taken up space normally on the right side of the pitch, stopping dangerous attacks from the opposition’s left winger and left back. Then when he gets the ball, he looks to find his attacking team mates to start quick counters.
This season, Morton is in the 85th percentile of blocks per 90 against midfielders, averaging 1.64. Therefore, not only is he intercepting play and starting this attacks, but also reinforcing his back four, making a number of blocks, whether that’s out wide on the right or in the middle, protecting his goal.
Eye For Attack
One of the huge benefits of having Morton in your team is when he’s on the ball he’s always got his eye out for a pass, and normally into attacking phases.
In Hull’s last game, where they beat QPR 3-0, Morton attempted the most passes for the Tigers, with a 93% pass completion rate. It’s not just the case of one game though, as he’s in the 87th percentile for most attempted passes per 90, averaging 62.3.
However, this normally aren’t passes to just continue to recycle the ball, but rather start something fresh for his team in an attacking sense.
Morton operates in defensive phases, but is always on the look to attack, very similar to someone like Rodri who also covers those defensive actions while continuing to look further up the field when they pick up the ball.
Although Hull City currently sit in 7th in the Championship table, it looks unlikely they will make the playoffs come the end of the season, as they sit 6 points off Norwich, with a game in hand over the Canaries.
However, Morton has been a great player for Hull this season, and the loan move has very much benefitted him and his development in his career.
With Liverpool’s current depth in midfield, it would have been hard to argue Morton’s space in the squad for next season, but with his great spell in the Championship, and with a new manager arriving at Anfield, the youngster has a possibility of featuring for the Reds next season.
Final Whistle 