'Jurgen Klopp believed in me' - Tyler Morton hails ex-Liverpool coach as 'the best' but Arne Slot 'decision' saw his playing time dry up as Lyon midfielder opens up on Anfield exit

Morton joined Lyon in the summer of 2025 for €10 million (£9m/$12m) after he received only 99 minutes of play time in the top flight last season under Slot. The midfielder, who made his senior debut for Liverpool in the Champions League under Klopp in the 2021-22 season, was then loaned out to Blackburn and Hull before he was ultimately sold to Lyon this summer.

In an interview with Le Progres, Morton expressed his admiration for the man who put trust in him, saying: “Jurgen Klopp was the best coach for my development. I think at that moment, I was ready to play. I'm not saying that no one believed it, but I think I was ready, and Klopp thought so too. He gave me the opportunity to play on the biggest stage for a very big club. He believed in me, allowed me to go out on loan to develop.

“Jurgen just wanted the best for me, he made me play great matches in the Champions League and the Premier League. It was a remarkable period, he made me progress at all levels.”

However, Morton admitted things did not work out with Slot, though he respected the manager’s honesty. He recalled their frank conversation: “With Arne Slot, I didn't play as much as I wanted, even though I was ready. It was his decision, and I took it calmly, but I had to find another path. He was very open and very honest with me at the end of last season. We talked a lot, and he let me join OL.

“I will be eternally grateful to Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, in different ways. They are excellent managers, but also great men.”

Morton has played 345 minutes with Lyon under Paulo Fonseca in this season so far but received a red card in the recent match against Rennes after a “very English tackle”. The midfielder has been impressed by the pace and physicality of Ligue 1, saying it matches the Premier League.

With the necessary game time under his belt, Morton hopes it will aid his development as Lyon look to overcome their off-field troubles to compete in the French top-flight.