The intriguing Liverpool transfer decision that could see familiar face return in January
A former Liverpool player has been linked with an unexpected move back to Anfield - but is it a transfer that could really take place?
Liverpool have made a steady start to life under new head coach Andoni Iraola but even the most optimistic fan would acknowledge that there are still some issues that need to be resolved, and not all of them involve Florian Wirtz. The centre of the Reds’ midfield is also a position that can be said to be under constant review.
Between the departure of Curtis Jones and continued speculation concerning the future of Alexis Mac Allister, it’s likely that Liverpool look to add some depth and ideally quality to a positional group which hasn’t yet hit top speed under their new manager. Several midfielders have been linked with a move to Anfield, not least Monaco’s Lamine Camara, but a new name has seemingly been added to the shortlist – and it’s a player who’s been on the books at Liverpool before…
The former Liverpool star who could make a surprising comeback
According to TEAMtalk, who claim to have word direct from sources inside the club, Liverpool are keeping tabs on Tyler Morton – a midfielder who came through the academy ranks with the Reds before moving to Lyon last summer.
The 23-year-old has become a crucial figure for the French outfit, appearing in 43 matches last season, and has played more minutes than any other outfielder since the start of the new campaign. The result of his impressive work in France is that quite a few teams are now considering a bid in the near future.
Liverpool are one of seven Premier League side that TEAMtalk claim are scouting Morton, with Newcastle, Sunderland and even local rivals Everton said to be interested in a player who 14 senior appearances at Anfield before moving on.
If Liverpool are serious about re-signing their former player, however, they hold a significant advantage over their potential rivals which extends beyond past affiliations. The deal which took Morton to Lyon – which could be worth as much as £15m if certain targets are met – also included a 20% sell-on clause, which gives Liverpool significant leverage over other teams and effectively means that they would be paying a lesser fee than anyone else who wanted to buy him.
TEAMtalk’s report doesn’t suggest that a bid is imminent, and as it stands Liverpool are only said to be monitoring Morton’s progress as they weigh up their options ahead of the January transfer window – but it is speculated that other clubs could force the issue over the winter.
Lyon, for their part, are in no position to hold onto players if reasonable offers emerge. They may have ultimately avoided a compulsory relegation to Ligue 2 which was mandated in 2025 as a result of their appalling financial position, but they still sit on debts which are estimated to stand at over €500m (£430m). They are a selling side until further notice, a fact other clubs are well aware of.
The price which Lyon might demand for Morton isn’t discussed in TEAMtalk’s story, but there’s little doubt that he would be available for the right kind of fee despite being under contract until 2030. Liverpool will be in the best position to strike a deal of any club should they choose to make a move – but would they be getting a player who could make a difference at Anfield?
How good is Tyler Morton – and would he improve Liverpool?
Morton, who is a European Under-21 champion after being a member of England’s title-winning squad in 2025, was rated highly as a youngster due to his technical class and exceptional passing range – but a lack of physicality initially held him back.
A willowy midfielder who lacks the strength to be effective in one-on-one situations, Morton was too easily bullied off the ball during early loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and Hull City, and struggled to adapt to the pace of top-level football. He seems to have overcome his limitations in France, however.
While still not an imposing figure, Morton’s first touch and ability to shield the ball with technique rather than grit have come on in leaps and bounds, and he’s now considered to be a highly press-resistant player who can manoeuvre his way out of trouble with relative ease.
That allows him to bring that exceptional passing range to bear – he’s precise with the ball and has the vision and accuracy to spread play quickly and effectively. He doesn’t create a huge volume of chances directly, and has provided a relatively meagre three assists since signing for Lyon, but is the player who starts a very high percentage of their attacking moves, and provides a rock-solid base for possession.
What might still hinder Morton is a lack of either cutting edge or genuine defensive quality. He has become much more effective off the ball than he once was and contributed an average of 4.4 turnovers per match last season in Ligue 1 – a good number for a player who isn’t an out-and-out defensive midfielder – but in an age where midfielders are often expected to be true box-to-box threats, he may not have quite enough strings to his bow. He isn’t a goalscorer, either, seldom venturing into the box and scoring just twice last season.
Andoni Iraola may end up preferring a more all-action midfielder for his hard-pressing, ‘heavy metal’ system – but Morton is taking strides in the right direction, and if he can keep developing his work in one-on-one situations and improving the defensive side of his game, then perhaps he could end up becoming the kind of player that Liverpool need. Their own judgement on the matter has yet to be rendered.