Tyler Morton has settled into life at Lyon seamlessly, making the £15 million Liverpool sold him for look like a bargain.
The midfielder has become a key figure for the Ligue 1 outfit, all while Liverpool look severely short in the middle of the pitch. That contrast has only made the decision to let him go more frustrating.
Arne Slot never seemed fully convinced by Morton, but he has since shown exactly why so many at Anfield once believed he had a bright future. It is looking more and more like Liverpool jumped the gun, especially after Lyon’s latest transfer decision.
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Lyon consider Tyler Morton ‘untouchable’ after post-Liverpool breakout
Morton’s first season at Lyon has gone better than almost anyone could have expected. The 23-year-old has established himself as a vital part of Paulo Fonseca’s midfield, with Andy Brassell previously claiming he may now be worth three times the £15 million Liverpool received.
He keeps the ball moving, controls the tempo and can take the sting out of games when his team need calm. The 23-year-old is not a destroyer, but he gives structure to the midfield and helps his side play through pressure — not dissimilar to Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
Lyon have not had a perfect campaign, and their financial position means sales are coming. According to L’Equipe, the French side need to raise ‘at least €20m’ before the end of June, and potentially much more if they miss out on the Champions League.
Several players could be moved on, but Morton is not one of them. The report names him among five Lyon players considered untouchable, unless an offer arrives that is impossible to refuse.
Liverpool clearly need a player of Morton’s profile this summer, to take the role of a deep distributor and a controller of the pace. If they get that signing right, the frustration may fade.
But if they spend big trying to replace a player they sold for £15m, the Morton sale will only look worse.
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