How Liverpool conspired to miss out on Dele Alli just became a little more mystifying

Liverpool passed up on the chance to sign Deli Alli.

Instead the youngster went to Tottenham for £5million, and from such decisions title challenges are born. And all because Liverpool would not pay him more than £4,000 a week. The England international has been in sensational form for the Londoners and must be a shoo-in for Young Player of the Year. The attacker has also been praised to high heaven by Steven Gerrard, and it appears the love is reciprocated from the 19 year old. Ahead of tonight’s clash with West Ham, the teenager has expressing his love for the former Liverpool captain, and admits if he was to meet the ex-England captain again, he would be star struck. In an interview with FourFourTwo, the youngster tells of his adoration for the ex-Liverpool man.

“Steven Gerrard was someone I looked up to massively. I'd always try to copy him, right down to the boots he was wearing. It was his attitude on the pitch that stood out - you could really see how much he hated losing.”

Alli has been key to Tottenham’s title charge this season, and he admits that some of his goal-scoring exploits have been modelled on the Liverpool legend

"The moment that stands out is the goal against West Ham in the FA Cup final. It was a great moment in a huge game, and a great finish too. It's one of the first goals I remember seeing. "I had a picture with him when I was younger, but I've never spoken to him. I think he'd probably be the only person that would make me a bit star-struck!"

Gerrard previously admitted how disappointed he was that Alli did not arrive at Anfield.

“I was actually disappointed Liverpool didn’t sign him. I thought he was certainly a player Liverpool might have tried to go for, especially with me coming toward the end.”

Feeling may be mutual, Stevie.