Tyler Morton: I loved every minute of it!
Tyler Morton loved every moment of a Champions League debut that involved helping Liverpool beat FC Porto 2-0.
The Academy midfielder followed up his Premier League bow – which came as a late substitute against Arsenal last weekend – by starting Wednesday night’s Group B clash at Anfield.
Morton played at the base of a midfield three that also included Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and put in an assured 90-minute display.
And when asked to pick his favourite bit of the evening by Liverpoolfc.com, the teenager replied with a smile: “Genuinely, every minute! I loved every minute of it!
“Especially walking out and looking up and seeing everyone. And clapping the fans at the end, that’s what I’m here for and that’s where I’m striving to be. To get applause at the end off all the fans, that’s what I want and that’s why I want to play for this club.”
Read on for the rest of our post-match interview with Morton…
On the win and whether the scoreline could have been even more convincing…
Definitely. I thought we played really well in the end but we had to get into our groove and I think it took us maybe until the second half when we started playing, but when we started playing you could see the real Liverpool.
On when he found out he would be starting…
I didn’t find out very soon! I found out yesterday [Tuesday] fully that I was playing, but I’m ready whenever. Whether I’m on the bench or I’m playing, I’m ready whenever.
On his mindset going into the game and playing the No.6 role…
I just thought I’m not unbelievably experienced at No.6 but I am experienced at other levels, just not the first team. It always takes time to adapt to playing styles, I thought I adapted today well to the game and I thought as it went on I got better. In the end I was happy with my performance.
On whether Thiago and Oxlade-Chamberlain helped him through the game…
Yeah, them two were quality with me, to be honest. I can’t speak more highly of them. It’s not easy having a 19-year-old lad coming in and playing with them, especially behind them, and trusting him. I felt I got a lot of trust off both of them today and I was really happy with that. The way they speak to me is improving me every day and yeah, I’m really happy.
On his hopes of getting more game time…
I’ll just take it as it is. If I’m playing, if I’m not playing, I’ll always keep a smile on my face. That’s how I am, it’s how I have to act, it’s me as a person. But the more opportunities the better, and hopefully more come soon.
On the hectic fixture schedule meaning all members of the squad will be needed…
Definitely. Me and Neco got the nod [tonight] and you’ve got to perform – you’re at Anfield in front of the fans and the players that you’ve supported all your life. That’s where I want to be and I want to perform my best every game for the fans and for the players next to me.
I’m just really happy with the opportunity that I’ve been given. I couldn’t speak more highly of the manager and the players for giving me these opportunities [and] trusting in me. I’m just happy to be here.