Liverpool youngster Tyler Morton has opened up on his time spent training with the first team and admits it was a "bit of a wake-up call".
Morton broke into Liverpool's first team in 2021 and has spent this season on loan at Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
He has now opened up on his experiences training with the first-team at Anfield and admits it was a huge step up from the youth side.
“When you first go up (to first-team training) you are a bit starstruck and you feel like you have to impress everyone," Morton told The Athletic.
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"But when you get to know them as people you realise how down to earth they are, how normal they are.
“The time that sticks out was when we had an in-house game against the first team during an international break. They told me I was playing centre-mid against a midfield three of Trent (Alexander-Arnold), Fabinho and Ox (Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain).
"It was me, Leighton Clarkson and Jake Cain. It was the first time I’d ever been up there and just realising the quality — it shook me and was a bit of a wake-up call.
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“I was like I need to switch on because I’m getting dizzy here. We were getting absolutely battered. I don’t remember us scoring and I think we had to pick the ball out of the net about three times," he said.
"But it was that game when I switched on and kicked on. I started training with them quite regularly and eventually full-time. That’s when I really found my feet and my confidence.”
'Unreal playing with Thiago'
He also spoken about the quality of fellow midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
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“It is unreal playing with people like Thiago,” Morton continued.
“Just training alongside him and seeing the way he moves and his vision and awareness is just second to none.
“It keeps you on your toes because if you are on his team he is going to play you a pass when even you don’t think it is possible.
“When you first go up [to first-team training] you are a bit starstruck and you feel like you have to impress everyone.
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“But when you get to know them as people you realise how down to earth they are, how normal they are.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Morton last year when Liverpool played Preston North End in the Carabao Cup and believes the midfielder has a bright future.
He told Sky Sports: "We have to send him to the gym as if he gets a body, he's a brilliant footballer.
"There are some things to come physique-wise, but the football brain is outstanding."
Topics: Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Thiago Alcantara, Jurgen Klopp, Transfers
Brad Cox