Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton was set to leave the Reds this window to join Blackburn Rovers on loan, but Jurgen Klopp has halted the move.
The 19-year-old midfielder has been subject of high praise from the German this pre-season after making his breakthrough last campaign.
Morton started for Liverpool against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, as well as making several cup appearances in a successful domestic double campaign.
"Tyler Morton has definitely made the next steps.” Klopp told the press in Bangkok.
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"He played good games for us but at 6 when he's actually an 8. When you see him now training, absolutely exceptional."
Morton did look like he was on his way to Blackburn Rovers, the club which provided such a great platform for Harvey Elliott, but now, with injuries in Liverpool’s midfield, the manager wants him to stay at the club until further notice.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain pulled up in a pre-season friendly which led him to miss the Reds’ training camp in Austria. Diogo Jota, although not a midfielder, is also not on the trip.
With five substitutions in use this season across all competitions, Morton feature more than expected.
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But a spell at Ewood Park under John Dahl Tomasson would also be an extremely useful and potentially career-defining experience.
Elliott spent the 2020/21 season with the Lancastrians, scoring seven times and assisting eleven in 41 league matches, and returned last season to a first-team place.
He was invited back to the stadium in January as a guest of honour, and spoke highly of his time there to RoversTV.
“It’s a wonderful place, even better now with the fans. It was great to meet up with all the boys and the staff again.”
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“It brought back a lot of memories, good memories, just lovely to come out here and watch the boys and cheer them on.
“I was saying to my dad on the way in that I missed the drive, a lot of laughter and joy and experience and learning that I got from the loan spell that I’ve put into this season.”
It is thought that once the Reds do have enough sustainability in midfield that Morton will head out on loan, but for now he remains a part of Liverpool’s plans.
Chris Stonadge