Midfielder's heart-breaking admission is a damning indictment of Arne Slot and Richard Hughes

Liverpool fans have had to get used to seeing homegrown talents walk out the door over the last few transfer windows.

The departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Caoimhin Kelleher and Jarell Quansah hurt supporters last summer - who love to see the connection between youth sides and the first team remain intact.

And perhaps the biggest blow of all was losing Tyler Morton to Lyon for only around £9m.

Tyler Morton goes from strength to strength

The midfielder, 23, has been in sparkling form for the Ligue 1 side since completing his summer switch - dictating the tempo for Paulo Fonseca’s team.

Liverpool are left with immense transfer regret - their quick buck easily eclipsed by Morton’s progress in France.

The Wallasey-born midfielder had a brilliant time out on loan during the 2023/24 season at Hull City and was widely expected to make the breakthrough under Arne Slot.

But he was frozen out by the Dutchman - not featuring at all during the Premier League title win and made surplus to requirements last summer.

Now the schemer has opened up on the effect that Slot’s treatment had on him - declaring in an interview with BBC Sport that he had fallen in love with the game.

Morton fell out of love with football under Arne Slot

"I was so hungry to play again and find my love for football again," he said.

"It's really difficult when you don't play. It's so tough. You don't get to show everyone how good you are. I'd never been more hungry to play football in my life."

Morton was banished to the under-21s during his final season at Liverpool before being picked up by the French side. The player added that his game has transformed under the guidance of Portuguese manager Fonseca.

And this comes at a time when Liverpool are crying out for alternatives in the No6 position and for homegrown players amid a growing shortage.

Morton finds another level under Paulo Fonseca

"The manager has given me the reins to play my football and I'm loving it," he continued.

"There's no better position than number six, getting on the ball constantly, finding passes between the lines and using my brain to dictate games.

“Paulo Fonseca's an incredible manager. He's helped me so much. I've discovered things I didn't even know I had as a footballer."

This is a frustrating pill to swallow for Liverpool fans who could have been experiencing Morton’s rise this season at his hometown club.

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