Liverpool passed up the opportunity to sign boyhood Liverpool fan Dele Alli last summer, and Steven Gerrard expressed his disappointment at their failure.
The 19-year-old has gone from strength to strength following his move to Tottenham Hotspur this season, playing a crucial role as Mauricio Pochettino’s side defeated Qarabag 1-0 in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Speaking as part of BT Sport’s Europa coverage, Gerrard said he felt “disappointed” that Liverpool pulled out of a move.
“He looks ahead of me as far as England games and appearances are concerned,” he said.
“He’s got more experience because he came through at MK Dons which has helped him progress and make the impact he has done at Tottenham.
“I was actually disappointed Liverpool didn’t sign him.
“I thought he was certainly a player Liverpool might’ve tried to go for, especially with me coming to the end.
“He’s certainly a player that could play for Liverpool for 15 years; he’s got that ability.”
"People say he's the next Gerrard?" The man himself responds to comparisons to @SpursOfficial's @Dele_Alli… #UEL https://t.co/uIfw8ri7az
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 26, 2015
It is believed that Liverpool’s transfer committee shied away from securing a deal to sign Alli in 2014, believing that the then-MK Dons midfielder did not represent value for money.
But joining Spurs this summer, Alli looks to have disproved this logic.
A powerful, box-to-box midfielder, Alli has looked at home in the Premier League since his Spurs debut, combining tenacity and finesse to link Pochettino’s defence and attack expertly.
Already a regular fixture in Roy Hodgson’s England squad, Alli could go on to emulate Gerrard’s success.
The 35-year-old is right to express his disappointment, as Liverpool missed out on an outstanding young midfielder in Alli.
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