Barry Lewtas on Derby clash, Morton progress and a footballing midfield
Barry Lewtas believes Tyler Morton has the perfect role models to learn from at U23 level in midfielders Leighton Clarkson and Jake Cain.
Morton penned a new long-term deal with Liverpool on Thursday and has found himself playing alongside the duo in recent Premier League 2 outings.
Clarkson and Cain both train regularly with the first-team squad and, alongside Morton, the trio were impressive performers during Monday night's 1-1 draw with Everton in the mini-derby.
We caught up with Lewtas ahead of the fixture and he reflected on the mini-derby, Morton's Academy journey so far and more...
On the level of performance from his side in the 1-1 draw with Everton…
I thought we played very well. We were disappointed with the start obviously, conceding a goal in the opening minute of the game. It was a good goal from Everton's point of view and I can see why they would be really happy with that team goal, but we got caught higher up the pitch, which we were disappointed about, but these things happen. The reaction from the players was excellent and we controlled the game after that and created good chances against a really resolute Everton defence. Their two centre-backs were excellent and they blocked us out when we got in behind them. We tried everything we could and could have won it with the last kick of the game but it just wasn't to be.
On Morton's fantastic goal in the mini-derby and his progress at U23 level…
It was a fantastic goal. We are quite flexible in our midfield and I thought Tyler picked out some good positions, and playing against Everton in Premier League 2 also has its physicality parts too and I thought he really stood up to that part of the game. Tyler has scored three goals for us now in Premier League 2 and that's a nice habit to have, but he is still developing and improving and he is training ever so well with us. His progress is coming on nicely.
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On coaching Morton since U12 level at the Academy and seeing him sign a new deal…
I was delighted for Tyler to get his new contract and he is working so hard. He was in my U12s team and then moved up through the years and he was also with me in the U18s. I have known Tyler for a long time so I'm in a very fortunate position that I get to work with so many of these talented players. It's nice to see the progress he is making over the years and hopefully his attitude and commitment to training points in the right direction of him continuing to improve.
On Morton benefiting from playing alongside Clarkson and Cain in recent outings…
It will help Tyler a lot. I've worked with Leighton and Jake for a very long time so they have been a fixture in my teams for quite a few years. Jake and Leighton are the heartbeat of how we want to try to play in terms of our style and they are able to execute that for us, so adding another player like Tyler means that we have a lot of the ball and can have good control of the game. That allows Tyler to get on the ball as well so we do have what I would say is a footballing midfield. We have some really good technicians who want the ball. We also have Ben Woodburn back training with us after his loan spell at Blackpool. He's a really popular character in the group and it's great to have him back around the group.
On Saturday's Premier League 2 meeting with Derby…
We have had some really tough games against Derby County over the years. The boys are well aware that playing Derby is one of the toughest games – there's no question of that. They always have some talented young players and they are well organised. I thought we played really well earlier on in the season at Derby and were unfortunate to lose 2-1 after Jake's fantastic free-kick. We just had a sticky 15 minutes when we conceded two goals and Derby were then ever so resolute. We had some great chances but just couldn't score, so we know we are in for a really tough game.
On Fidel O'Rourke making his first start in Premier League 2 against Everton on Monday…
Fidel works his socks off for the team. Over the course of the season we have had Luis Longstaff, Liam Millar, Paul Glatzel and Joe Hardy playing at No.9. We have had injuries to Paul and Joe, unfortunately, so we have had to move people around. Fidel has had to be patient but in training every day his attitude is fantastic. He has captained my U18s team on numerous occasions so I know what Fidel is capable of. He has trained tirelessly to try to get into the team and has done everything that has been asked of him. I felt against Everton he was someone who could give us that option to run in behind and try to disrupt their backline and I felt he did that. He played a part in our goal and also was unlucky to have an effort cleared off the line. Fidel gave us a really good option against Everton and I was pleased with him.