ReactionTyler Morton: It was a good learning curve

The Reds were back in action against the Ligue 1 outfit a little over 24 hours on from the FA Community Shield victory over Manchester City.

James Milner captained the side, with youngsters Morton, Harvey Davies, Luke Chambers, Stefan Bajcetic, Isaac Mabaya and Melkamu Frauendorf all starting.

Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho were also given an opportunity for minutes alongside Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate, while Bobby Clark, Sepp van den Berg, Nathaniel Phillips and Mateusz Musialowski were introduced from the bench.

“It’s a massive learning curve for us youngsters,” Morton told Liverpoolfc.com.

“I’m really proud of everyone because they’re not just my teammates, they’re my friends. It’s nice to see them out on Anfield and share the pitch with them.”

Read on for the full post-match interview with the midfielder below…

On the game being a reminder of the level that is required…

Definitely. That’s what we need to learn, especially the lads making their debuts and the lads that are coming through because it’s completely different to youth-team football. It’s ruthless at the end of the day, no matter how much possession you’ve got it doesn’t mean you’re going to win the game. They had a clear set-up and you can tell they’re clear professionals, so we have to appreciate that sometimes.

On what is key for himself in the coming months…

[I’ve] just got to push on and impress. Hopefully I’m doing that. I’m happy where I am at the moment. I’ve just got to keep working hard and keep trying to get better and improve.

On providing help to other young players in the squad…

I’ve been around for a while; I know the lads. It was hard when I first came. You don’t really know anyone; you’ve got to stay around the youngsters. Hopefully I’m maturing and getting more like a professional myself. I try to help out the lads that are younger than me. Even the likes of Bobby and Mel. Coming in to play today was obviously tough and it was tough when I first came up, so I’m going to have to help them as much as I can.

On picking up pointers from senior players…

Yes, 100 per cent. You’re around the best players in the world so you’ve got to watch everything they do, even off the pitch. I always say it is just learning for me. Every day is learning. You just keep trying to impress and keep learning off the best and see where it goes.

On excitement building ahead of the new season…

That’s what everyone is getting ready for. Today’s match, getting 90 minutes in your legs and then hopefully impressing to be in the manager's thoughts for some of the other lads and myself. I thought it was a good game, I was really happy with how it went… less the scoreline, but I thought the lads did really well.