NewsInterview: Kieran Morrison on Player of the Month award, form and responsibility

The 19-year-old's excellent form was rewarded with recognition as the division's standout performer in the opening month of 2026.

Contributing with five goals and fine performances, Morrison was instrumental in Liverpool U21s winning all four of their league fixtures in January.

As such, he collected the Player of the Month award at the AXA Training Centre on Friday.

"It's a good achievement," Morrison told Liverpoolfc.com. "I kept checking every day on the Premier League website to see if anyone had won it! I'm glad that I won it.

"We were unbeaten last month, which is obviously really good. We won all our games, so that's a big bonus and credit to the team. I'm just happy that I can get the goals and a few assists to help the team."

Morrison was one of three Reds on the eight-player shortlist for the prize, alongside Armin Pecsi and Keyrol Figueroa.

Winning it represents another encouraging milestone in his development, after debuting for the senior team in October during the Carabao Cup tie with Crystal Palace.

He continued: "Me and Figgy kept on saying, 'How many goals have you got? How many goals have I got?' So, we were trying to figure out who would win it.

"It's always good to have that friendly competition and it pushes us more. Figgy is one of the top scorers in the league, so he's a top striker and he's a great lad. It's just friendly banter.

"This helps me with the first team, too. Obviously I was on the bench [against Sunderland] and I played against Palace a few months ago – it wasn't my best game personally.

"I'm just glad I'm doing well in the U21s. Hopefully it gives me more chances over there to prove myself to the gaffer."

The undoubted highlight of Morrison's January was bagging a hat-trick in a 7-0 victory over Arsenal at the Kirkby Academy.

He set Rob Page's side on their way to three points with an early opener and then netted twice in quick succession in the second half to complete the treble.

"Everyone was top – from the back line to Armin to me, Trent [Kone-Doherty] and Will [Wright] and Figgy," recalled Morrison.

"I think everyone in the front three or front four got a goal or assist. Thankfully I got a hat-trick and Trent got two assists.

"Afterwards it was just like, 'We can beat any team when we all play together and do what the coaches say.' It was a big morale boost for all of us and since then we haven't lost.

"We're just trying to push forward to West Brom [on Sunday] and hopefully get a win again."

Morrison followed up that hat-trick with match-winning penalties against Leeds United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Despite missing a spot-kick in the UEFA Youth League the previous month, he was more than willing to take responsibility from 12 yards on those occasions.

Morrison explained: "I remember the one against Inter Milan where it was 2-0 and I missed my pen, hit the post and I was kicking myself for about two weeks.

"Obviously everyone misses pens but I was like, 'When I'm captain, I need to take it on my shoulders.'

"Against Leeds, I stepped up for the pen and I was kind of nervous but not nervous at the same time. I was like, 'I'm going to score.' Against Brighton, I was like, 'We need to take the lead here.'

"Thankfully I scored in both of them and we got a win in both games. All you've got to do is just work hard, take every day as it is and keep on going."

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