Klopp's words to Liverpool rookie Morton sum up confidence in midfielder

Liverpool youngster Tyler Morton had Jurgen Klopp's words of wisdom ringing in his ears when he made his Premier League debut on Saturday.

Morton appeared as an 84th minute substitute for Thiago Alcantara in the 4-0 victory over Arsenal, adding to his two senior appearances in the Carabao Cup this season.

Having recently turned 19, Morton is proving to be one one the surprise breakthrough stars of Liverpool's season, with the locally-born midfielder benefitting from injuries to some of the Reds' senior stars.

Morton has been converted into a holding midfield player in recent months at the Reds academy, and he is proving to be a more than able deputy to the likes of Thiago, Fabinho and Reds skipper Jordan Henderson.

After playing the second 45 minutes of Liverpool's 3-0 win at Norwich City in the Carabao Cup, Morton followed that up with a full 90 minute appearance in the 2-0 victory at Preston in the following round.

Saturday represented his Anfield debut though, and it is clear that Klopp thinks a lot of him given the instructions he gave him when he came onto the pitch.

"I thought it went well. There wasn't much I could have done really in the 10 minutes," Morton told LFCTV after his first Premier League appearance.

"I came on, I tried to control the game.

"He [Klopp] told me to control the game, calm it down a bit, get everyone on the ball, get playing, show what I've got.

"And I think that's what I've done a little bit, I feel like I've got plenty more to come and hopefully I can showcase that soon."

Klopp's instructions to Morton underline the faith he has in the midfielder, particularly as he appeared alongside such illustrious company.

Having replaced Thiago, Morton played in midfield alongside Fabinho and fellow substitute Henderson, who could be seen congratulating the teenager at full-time.

With the likes of James Milner, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott all still injured, Morton could get more game-time for the Reds in coming weeks, starting with this Wednesday's Champions League clash with Porto.

Liverpool have already qualified for the last-16 as group winners, and Klopp has indicated that he will shuffle the pack for the clash with the Portuguese outfit, who the Reds beat 5-1 earlier this season.

On his prospects of featuring against Porto, Morton added: "I'd love to. Let's see what happens!"

On playing for his boyhood club in the Premier League, he added: "It's a different feeling to any other feeling, especially your boyhood club, as everyone will know, being a fan all my life and now stepping on the pitch.

"It felt surreal, but that's where I want to be, so that's where I'm going to push to be."