Steven Gerrard 'disappointed' Liverpool missed out on Spurs prodigy Dele Alli

Gerrard believes Alli has progressed further than he did at 19

Alli has been a mainstay of Spurs's first-team since being given his debut by Mauricio Pochettino (2015 Getty Images)

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is disappointed that talented midfielder Dele Alli is at Tottenham Hotspur rather than Anfield.

Gerrard, one of the Reds’ greatest ever players, also believes that the 19-year-old has progressed more than he did at the same age.

Alli has played a starring role for fifth place Spurs this season and impressed for the national team after being called up by England boss Roy Hodgson.

Liverpool were linked with the former MK Dons prodigy during summer 2014 but a deal could not be made. Tottenham agreed a £5million fee for the teenager in January and after he returned to League One for the remainder of last season, he joined the Spurs first-team over the summer and has not looked back.

Alli has started Spurs’ last nine Premier League games, with Mauricio Pochettino’s team unbeaten in that time with six wins and three draws, including good results against Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Gerrard has been impressed.

"He looks ahead of me as far as England games and appearances are concerned. 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," Gerrard told BT Sport.

"He's a very exciting player; We'll have to see how his career works out but he's got all the tools to become a top player domestically, but also in Europe as well."

Gerrard added: "I was acutally 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."

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