---
title: "Liverpool missed opportunity to sign Alli"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/liverpool-missed-opportunity-sign-alli/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Patrick Furlong"
section: "Articles"
published: "2015-11-18T14:56:08Z"
modified: "2015-11-18T14:56:08Z"
---

# Liverpool missed opportunity to sign Alli

Following his Man of the Match performance for the England senior side against France on Tuesday night, it has been revealed that Liverpool missed out on the opportunity to sign the promising Dele Alli from Milton Keynes Dons after the transfer committee decided against completing a deal.

According to the [Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/how-liverpools-controversial-transfer-committee-6854878), the Reds had been following the young midfielder for a number of years as he prominently rose through MK Dons’ academy into the first-team.

Despite extensively scouting Alli under the tenure of Rodgers, they claim that no approach was made when the Buckinghamshire-based club started to receive offers.

Alli, 19, had previously admitted that he was a supporter of the Anfield club and referenced club legend Steven Gerrard as an idol whilst rising through the ranks at his local club.

![Clive Rose/Getty Images Sport](https://readrugbyunion.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2015/11/497557308.jpg)

“Gerrard was a big reason I began supporting Liverpool,” admitted Alli once speculation of a move began to circulate.

> I remember Istanbul, the FA Cup final, and the game against Olympiakos: Gerrard just scoring amazing goals. Gerrard was a big influence on why I supported Liverpool.

Rodgers was also quick to praise the promising prodigy whom he had been closely keeping an eye on whilst also regularly discussing the player’s potential with MK Dons manager Karl Robinson, who had previously been a coach at Liverpool’s Kirkby Academy.

“He is one of the most gifted 17-year-olds this country has ever seen,” admitted Robinson after another glowing performance from Alli as he had recorded his first senior hat-trick against Notts County in March 2014.

> I’ve said from the word go, he’s as good as it gets and he’s the best young player I’ve ever worked with. I see him as a young Steven Gerrard, who had a similar frame and build to him. He needs to learn to score more goals and is getting better at that.

![Pete Norton/Getty Images Sport](https://readrugbyunion.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2015/11/472047976.jpg)

However, Liverpool’s biggest stumbling block in the pursuit of the promising youngster came in the summer of 2014, claim the Mirror, as Rodgers and the transfer committee tried to thrash out a deal – only for his current employers to repeatedly raise the demanded fee.

They add that eventually, the transfer committee decided against finalising a deal for the player as there was no justification for the money that MK Dons were demanding and the club saw little value in the deal as the youngster would still need at least another 12 to 18 months before he would be ready to be considered for the first team.

Instead, Liverpool looked to strengthen from other sources and Emre Can was signed from Bayer Leverkusen whilst a potential deal for James Milner, who was nearing the end of his contract with Manchester City, was deemed better value.

![Michael Regan/Getty Images Sport](https://readrugbyunion.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2015/11/493041206.jpg)

And any chances of Liverpool trying again for a good deal were scuppered following the League One side’s 4-0 demolition of a new look Manchester United under Louis Van Gaal as Alli produced a classy display to earn a historic result.

Therefore, come January, Liverpool were nowhere to be seen as potential suitors Tottenham, Newcastle and Aston Villa all competed for the midfielder’s signature before Mauricio Pochettino secured a £5m deal that saw Alli loaned back to the club for the remainder of the season as he helped them secure promotion to the Championship.

And following his outstanding performances for both club and country already this season, the 19-year-old may have already proven to be a bargain at a mere £5m.