By Kevin Phillips

27th Dec, 2021 | 8:42am

Phillips lambasts Liverpool star Morton as controversy takes new twist

Kevin Phillips has insisted Liverpool youngster Tyler Morton deserved a red card for his “really bad” challenge on Ricardo Pereira.

The former Sunderland striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 19-year-old “saw red” with his “rash” lunge during the League Cup clash.

Pereira was forced off through injury after the two-footed tackle in the 10th minute at Anfield as Liverpool beat Leicester on penalties to advance to the semi-finals on Wednesday (22 December).

Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers revealed yesterday that the Portugal international will be out for up to two months after fracturing his fibula in a “frustrating” blow for the injury-hit side.

Phillips insisted Liverpool youngster Morton should have been dismissed for the challenge, which went unpunished by referee Andy Madley.

“He’s a young kid, it was a rash challenge and we all agree – it was a red card,” he told Football Insider.

“He’s seen red there. It was a bad one. When I initially saw it, I thought it was a little bit naughty. But when you slow it down it looks a really bad one.

“The positioning of the referee has probably saved him being sent off. VAR not being in use for the game will have helped his cause too.

“For me, there’s no doubt that it was a red card. But for me, it’s one of those things that even themselves out over the space of the season.”

Morton has made seven Liverpool appearances this term, including starts against Milan and Porto in the Champions League.

Pereira had just returned from a one-month hamstring injury layoff.

In other news, Kieran Maguire has blasted Fenway Sports Group for ‘lunacy’ at Liverpool after star player’s reveal this week.