Meet the Academy: Tyler Morton
For a central midfield player at the Academy such as Tyler Morton, studying the likes of Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson is a treasured opportunity.
Morton has made the step up to the Liverpool U23s side this season, and the 18-year-old is working hard for a chance to train with the first team one day.
With Jürgen Klopp's seniors now settled in at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby, Morton knows all eyes are upon the Academy hopefuls at all times.
And there is no shortage of inspiration to keep levels and standards at their highest.
"It's fantastic knowing the first team are so close to us now and all eyes are definitely upon us," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"Anyone can be watching us at any time in training or the matches. You've got to perform at your best at all times and that's the way it should be at Liverpool FC.
"It is a dream of mine to train alongside Thiago. I used to watch Thiago when he was at Bayern Munich on the TV and he's just a magician.
"They are the type of players you look up to and want to base your game on. I look up to Jordan as well because his leadership is brilliant.
"I haven't had that chance to train with the first team yet, but I know I've got a lot of work to do. I've just broken into the U23s team so I will try to keep working hard and see where that takes me."
Morton is set to feature for Liverpool U23s as they host Derby County in Premier League 2 on Saturday at the Academy. Kick-off is 1pm GMT and you can watch the game live on LFCTV and LFCTV GO.
In the week that he signed a new long-term Reds contract, we caught up with him for the latest edition of our Meet the Academy series...
On how he first came to Liverpool, having been spotted playing for the same junior side as former Reds midfielder Jay Spearing…
I was playing for Greenleas junior team and it was a moment to remember for me when Geoff Peters and Ian Barrigan asked us to come to the Academy when I was aged seven. Everton also came in for me, so I had a choice to make. But I'm a Liverpool supporter, so there was no real choice. It was always Liverpool for me! Every time I put on the shirt with the badge on it's a dream, and it's fantastic to be able to play alongside some of the best youth players in the world.
On scoring against Everton in a 6-1 mini-derby win over the Blues last season at Finch Farm…
That meant a lot to me. It was one of my first games back after injury and the lads were absolutely brilliant on the day. When I came on I just tried to impress and show what I could do. When the ball fell to me, I heard Niall Brookwell shouting for a pass but I just felt there's no chance I'm passing, I'm going to score here and thankfully it went in! It was a great feeling.
On getting his chance at U18 level last season when Leighton Clarkson and Jake Cain moved up to the U23s…
It was a big chance for me and I knew as soon as Leighton and Jake moved on that was my opportunity to showcase what I've got and what I can do on the field. I was a regular starter then before the season ended.
On the influence of Barry Lewtas on his Academy journey so far…
Very big. Barry was my coach at U12 level and I remember we went to a tournament in Belgium and did really well. I was captain under Barry and he has always given me great support and confidence.
On making the step up to U23 level this season…
I started the season with the U18s but then I damaged the ligaments in my ankle, which kept me out for a good few weeks. I've really enjoyed making the step up to the U23s but it's completely different to the U18s. It is a big step but I've enjoyed it and I'm thankful to the U23s players that have helped me so far. Lads like Tony Gallacher and Liam Coyle have been great with me and they are really easy to work with and very supportive.
On how big a step up it really is to play for the U23s compared with the U18s…
It is a big step. When we played recently against Southampton I didn't realise how quick the pace of the game is, but that kind of suits me sometimes because I like to play one- or two-touch. It is very quick and very physical as well because you don't get much time on the ball as you do at U18 level. I just want to try to cement my place with the U23s now. It's never nice when you see other lads getting injuries and we've had a few of those this season, but it does give other players from the U18s an opportunity to make that next step. It's also given an opportunity to some of the younger boys from the U16s to play for the U18s, like Isaac Mabaya, and those lads have done really well.
On taking responsibility from set-pieces…
I love taking free-kicks and corners, and when I'm playing with the U18s I have to share it with Dominic Corness. Dom is our left-foot wizard, isn't he? So I can't take them off him! But when I get the chance I think I've got a good delivery on me to get a good ball into the box. Our U18s manager, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, has also been a big influence for me. I've learned so much from him because he was a midfield player. He is very easy to talk to and it's just nice to have great people like that around you.