Liverpool midfielder sends Arne Slot strong message as new signings take step

Tyler Morton sent a timely reminder to Arne Slot ahead of a possible senior Liverpool recall with a starring role for the under-21s on Saturday afternoon. Morton opened the scoring as the Reds earned a 3-1 win over Derby County in Premier League 2 at the Academy in Kirkby.

The 21-year-old midfielder last featured for the Liverpool first team in March 2022 having since had successful season-long loan spells in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers and Hull City.

He featured for Slot's side during pre-season by has failed to make the bench so far this campaign, but is expected to come into contention for minutes for the League Cup third-round tie at home to West Ham United on Wednesday.

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Morton put Liverpool ahead against Derby in the 15th minute as both he and Trey Nyoni combined to win possession high up the pitch, with the move ending with Morton thrashing a shot beyond Derby goalkeeper Jack Thompson.

Tommy Pilling doubled the advantage for Barry Lewtas's side 11 minutes into the second half when, having been upended by Thompson for a penalty, the 20-year-old midfielder duly converted from the spot.

Derby pulled a goal back four minutes from time through a Riley Moloney penalty, but the impressive Tom Hill helped ease any nerves three minutes later by setting up substitute Trent Kone-Doherty to score.

Meanwhile, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's U18s side earned their first point of the U18 Premier League North season by twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Leeds United at Thorp Arch earlier on Saturday.

A penalty from Lewis Pirie put the hosts ahead only for centre-back Louis Enahoro-Marcus to score with 20 minutes remaining. Leeds restored their lead two minutes later through Devon Brockie but, in the 87th minute, Josh Sonni-Lambie levelled.

Rio Ngumoha continued his integration by coming on from the bench at half-time while fellow summer signing Alvin Ayman featured for the first hour.

Liverpool U21s are next in action on Tuesday in the EFL Trophy with a game at Harrogate Town (kick-off 7.45pm) while the U18s entertain Newcastle United in the U18 Premier League at the Academy next Saturday (kick-off 1pm).

LIVERPOOL U21s: Misciur; Miles, Jonas, Nallo, Norris; Morton (Kone-Doherty 79), Nyoni (Davidson 62); Pilling, Corness, Hill; Young (Morrison 62). Subs: R Trueman, Pinnington.

LIVERPOOL U18s: Hall; Pitt, Furnell-Gill, Enahoro-Marcus, Evers; Bradshaw, Lonmeni (Ngumoha, 46), Ayman (Ewing 63), O'Connor; Onanuga (Ahmed 46), Sonni-Lambie. Subs: Bernard, Martin. BOOKINGS: Enahoro, Lonmeni, Bradshaw, Ayman.