Liverpool fans will have learned a lot about their club after Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to PSV Eindhoven.
It was always going to be a fascinating night for the Reds, with a number of unfamiliar faces making the trip to the Netherlands.
Despite missing out on their typical favourites, fans of Liverpool’s starting XI found something to be intrigued by.
Arne Slot made some bold decisions, like switching Andy Robertson to centre-back and making Jayden Danns a European record-breaker for Liverpool.
Perhaps the most telling of Slot’s decisions was starting James McConnell in midfield over Tyler Morton.
Morton is two years McConnell’s older, and he has been the go-to man in the domestic competitions this season. However, having been reduced to a 38-minute cameo, Morton now appears bound to accept a terrible fate at Liverpool.
Tyler Morton is poised to quit Liverpool.
Morton has had a rough season. His second-half appearances at PSV were only his fifth of the season and his first in the Premier League or Champions League.
After performing well in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley earlier this month, Morton hinted at his desire to leave Liverpool in the January transfer window.
While that hasn’t happened yet, the 22-year-old’s lack of action on Wednesday could indicate an impending departure.
With such a revolving team, it seemed almost clear that Morton would start in Eindhoven.
That he didn’t could indicate that a move is in the works between now and Monday’s deadline.
Even if that is not the case, Morton’s failure to make the cut with Liverpool’s four most used midfielders missing from the squad is not good news.
James McConnell adds the final nail to the coffin.
If starting on the bench was bad enough for Morton on Wednesday, McConnell’s impressive performance in his place made matters worse.
The 20-year-old was handed the whole 90 minutes and looked confident, cool, and tough alongside Wataru Endo and later Morton himself.
Slot praised McConnell after the game, implying that the kid had played himself out of contention for a loan move before the window closed.
Of course, McConnell’s success does not necessarily mean bad news for Morton, but it appears that there is only room for one of them in the Liverpool squad.
