Arne Slot already secured Martin Zubimendi REGEN for Liverpool

Liverpool’s academy products have been one of their standout features in a season where everything seems to be going well.

And they were on full display today in the 4-0 vcitory over League Two Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup third round.

READ MORE: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia AGREEMENT in place as winger set to complete move

Rio Ngumoha announced himself on the main stage with a scintillating performance in his first ever senior start. Jayden Danns bagged his third senior goal by once again scoring in the FA Cup despite being out for half of the season through injury. Trey Nyoni looked assured in his reduced role.

But it was perhaps Tyler Morton that looked best of all.

Morton is the midfielder Liverpool have been seeking

It was a dominant display in a defensive midfield position that can be unforgiving for a 22-year old.

He won four out of his five duels, winning both he attempted on the ground at a 100% tackle rate, completing 27/33 passes and having three recoveries to boot.

Yes, it was Accrington Stanley. But it backed up what we have seen for Morton previously, including against Brighton in the League Cup.

Liverpool are openly wanting to bolster their midfield ranks. Their infatuation with Martin Zubimendi bit them in the summer when the Spanish international refused a move to Merseyside, but that hasn’t discouraged the club from going back in for him.

Yet, if they are wanting a player who can break down counterattacks, block the ball where it is played and send through balls with startling precision then they already have it in Morton.

The two are also inexplicably linked.

As Anfield Watch exclusively revealed, Morton was set for an £18m move to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer but Zubimendi’s rejection of a deal with Liverpool meant that Arne Slot wanted to retain the young midfielder to ensure there was enough squad depth to rotate.

So every cloud does have a silver lining. As good as Zubimendi is, and as much as he would add to Liverpool’s midfield if they do get a deal over the line, the development of Morton is incredibly exciting.

He could follow in the footsteps of Curtis Jones as a local lad at the heart of the Anfield midfield.

And if he’s able to learn directly from Zubimendi sooner rather than later then that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world either.

READ MORE: Liverpool make first step to sign Mo Salah REGEN