Liverpool reportedly chose not to sign Dele Alli when he was with MK Dons.

The Reds were in close contact with the the Milton Keynes club regarding the talented midfielder who had been compared to Steven Gerrard by Dons boss Karl Robinson.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool monitored Alli for some time but ultimately decided not to go ahead with a transfer as they were unsure if he would represent good value for money and felt he may not be ready for Premier League football for at least another 12 months.

Tottenham snapped up the 19-year-old for around £5million in February before he spent the rest of the season back on loan at the Stadium:mk and it has proven to be a great piece of business for Spurs as the youngster marked his full England debut with a stunning goal in the 2-0 win over France on Tuesday and has been in fine form at club level.

The Echo is also of the belief that the Anfield outfit did not push through a deal, despite former manager Brendan Rodgers' admiration for the teenager, and the rest - as they say - is history.