Arne Slot 'testing' Bayer Leverkusen target in training

Tyler Morton got his first minutes of the season in Liverpool’s 5-1 win over West Ham on Wednesday.

The substitution marked his first senior appearance since March 2022.

His return to the first-team fold comes after successful loans with Blackburn and Hull in the Championship.

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Following his return from Hull City, this summer saw a number of European clubs express interest in Morton.

The 21-year-old’s idol, Xabi Alonso, wanted to bring the midfielder to Bayer Leverkusen on loan and promised the Scouser he’d play in at least 50% of games if he remained fit.

RB Leipzig and Italy's Atalanta were also understood to be interested earlier in the window.

Liverpool though, would have preferred a sale if they were to let Morton go with the Reds valuing him at £20 million.

In the end, Liverpool opted to keep the youngster with Morton revealing Arne Slot has been testing him in different positions in training.

Morton being tested by Slot

Confusion has risen regarding Morton’s lack of minutes after the club’s decision to keep the midfielder at the club.

But that might change with the new Liverpool boss 'testing' Morton in training.

In Liverpool's programme notes ahead of West Ham's visit, the midfielder revealed he has been put in positions that he needs to improve on.

“It’s been a massive learning period and a period in which I’ve had to be really patient and wait for that chance to come, but I’ve been really working hard on myself.

“To be a Liverpool footballer you’ve got to be able to do a lot of things and for me that means playing both midfield positions, as the six and the eight who drops deeper to help the No. 6.

“I’ve been learning both positions and the manager’s been testing me and putting me in positions where I need to get better, which is only going to help me.

“The manager’s changed my game really well and he’s helping to develop me in situations that I probably wouldn’t have had the chance to be in when I was playing in just the six role,” Morton said.

Morton has impressed in Liverpool's U21 set-up - where since he's been branded 'too good' for that level - scoring 48 hours on from his Carabao Cup outing, where Barry Lewtas' young Reds defeated Arsenal 3-0 at Borehamwood.