Former Everton academy boss Martin Waldron has recalled how close they came to losing Ross Barkley to Liverpool.

Now with Chelsea, Barkley came through the development system at Everton.

Waldron told the Liverpool Echo, “Ross is an obvious one.

“He was at Everton in the development centre and he had stopped coming to training. His mum called, my assistant took the call and said: 'It's Mrs Barkley, she says Ross is going to sign for Liverpool on Monday'.

“This was the Friday. Sid Benson had promised him a game on the Sunday between the main boys and trialists so he played in that game. We signed him on the day. We signed three lads that day, Ross, Ben Heneghan (on loan at Blackpool from Sheffield United) and another lad who broke his leg and went out of the game."