9 Jul 2015

Better than Can? 'Sensational' £5m powerhouse who 'supports Liverpool' confirms LFC transfer was an option

Throughout 2014, Liverpool were repeatedly linked with MK Dons midfielder Dele Alli, who ultimately ended up at Tottenham after rejecting a move to Anfield. At one point, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers made a personal scouting trip to watch Alli, and a deal seemed nailed-on, but once again, Spurs beat Liverpool to the punch. So what went wrong?

Prior to his £5m Spurs move, Alli even claimed to be a Liverpool fan. He told the Daily Mail:

"I am actually a Liverpool fan and Gerrard is someone I look up to massively. Gerrard was a big influence on why I support Liverpool"

Clearly, Alli's fan-status made no difference to his decision, and in an interview this week, the 19-year old explained why he snubbed Liverpool. He told the Liverpool Echo:

“At the time I didn’t feel Liverpool was the right move personally, and I wanted to stay at MK a bit longer to get some more first-team experience. I knew if I got more experience by the end of the season that I’d be ready to move.”

How refreshing. Alli - recently names the Football League's 'young player of the year - clearly has a good head on his shoulders, and it's good to see that - unlike many young players out there - he'd rather focus on personal development that padding his bank balance.

On the other hand, Alli signed for Spurs at the age of 19, so it's not like he gave himself a lot of time develop (!) In my view, he should've stayed at MK Dons for another year as he's unlikely to be a regular starter at White Hart Lane next season.

Whatever happens, his former boss, Karl Robinson, is convinced that Alli is destined for greatness. In October, Robins - channeling his inner-Rodgers - gushed:

"He [Alli] is the most gifted youngster I've ever seen. He's sensational. He's on another planet. He’s a terrific individual, and to be a top player you have to conduct yourself in the right way and he certainly does that"

Like Rodgers, Robinson seems prone to effusive, overwrought praise, and he regularly heaps exaggerated praise on Alli. This may be counter-productive, though; Robinson claims he wants to keep the youngster at the club, but if he keeps fawning over him, top teams are sure take note, but that seems to be Robinson's plan. Indeed, in September, he told the BBC:

"It is about us getting what we deserve. We know his [Alli's] current market value. What we can sell him for could keep our academy going for a long time to come."

Did Liverpool miss out here? The Academy is bursting at the seams with young talent, but the club lacks - even in the youth ranks - big, tall, combative midfield players, and Alli possibly offers something different.

Unfortunately, Gerrard aside, no central midfielder has ever graduated from the academy to become a regular in the first team. Jay Spearing came closest, but he averaged only 10 appearances a season over a 5-year period.

As such, rejecting Liverpool is arguably the right decision. Anfield is a graveyard for young players, and history proves that very few ever make it.

Author:


77 comments:

  1. Gotta love Allis dedication to perfection if nothing else i remember him him saying "i practice not till i get it right but so i cant get it wrong" youve gotta respect that.

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  2. destroyerduck105:38 am, July 09, 2015

    Potchettino is very reserved with his praise so there wont be that problem at Spurs.

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  3. If Ali makes it, I will eat my cat,, promise.

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  4. Jeez Greg, you are a sadist,, please let him be a Biscan.

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  5. Sterling business is making Man City look really bad = City lack class on this issue. West Brom boy DUMPED Sterlings Agent - Sterling is in deep deep sh--

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  6. Sterlings fate is his own, he has chosen a certain path, let him walk it, he will get boo'd every away game for City, especially now Ward has been dumped by Berahino, Raheem must be thinking WTF.

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  7. Its not my money to gamble with, (wish it was) but it would be so good, if we could just leave him training alone for 2 years, that would sort out the boys from the Men. But the money is important, damn.

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  8. Clubs should get their own association together, and have a pot to prevent this chit.

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  9. LFC supporters like him we can do without. Dont be suprised if J Henry issues a statement this week stating that LFC will NEVER sell Sterling to Man City = That is where this is going = Lets sell him to Man U = they deserve him

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  10. To be honest I don't think FSG will have to make that decision as I don't believe City will come back for Sterling.

    Considering what Sterling has been up over the last few months off the pitch and with this latest press release I can not see the very image conscious owners of City wanting him.

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  11. I'v always thought Berahino's attitude was suspect, but if the reasons cited for him parting ways with Ward are accurate (and I concede it's possible they aren't), then he has just gone up ten-fold in my estimation.

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  12. Leave him to train alone,,, ignore the dick,, on only £30k a week for two years,
    just shows us what the meaning of wealth is, when I can say ONLY £30k a week

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  13. Thats an old one Greg,,
    I tell my chic that every night,,,

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  14. As a wise man once said;

    "If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny - consume you it will...."

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  15. Who told you Klopp won`t be coming soon? Rogers is living on borrowed time i think and if reports are anything to go by, Klopp is just waiting for the inevitable to happen in my opinion, so unless you can show me the evidence that Klopps not coming when BODGERS messes up then jog on Mr know it not.

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  16. By Lucas, your a star wars man, my name is Starrs.

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  17. I don't think we really need to hear Roy saying anything about Waheem

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  18. Yes I heard Potchetino described Alli as F@cking useless. Such a refreshing change from BR.

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  19. That is the best way to have cats imo

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  20. In Argentina, 'f@cking useless' is how you say outstanding

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  21. I see now. It's just another one of those quaint South American phrases that mean the opposite of what we understand by it ......

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  22. I thought it was JK on a good day....

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  23. Yes I can't remember the date exactly but I remember there was talk of making it a public holiday

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  24. That he has become disillusioned by the Sterling saga.
    When asked about it, Ward said;

    "I'm no longer working with Saido. You'll have to ask him for the reasons."

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  25. Really? Should be a good addition..

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  26. Why are City looking bad/classless?
    I dont recall them doing anything except offer, then raise the offer...

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  27. Ghost of Suarez9:39 am, July 09, 2015

    BBC confirmed it last night. They don't tend to report anything like that unless it is 100%

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  28. Ghost of Suarez9:43 am, July 09, 2015

    We were interested in him at the start of last season, he didn't want to move and Emre Can (who's is only 1 year older don't forget) blossomed so we didn't go back for him I expect him to play in midfield this season. Papers are trying to play this like Spurs got one over but no indication that we were in for him when Spurs swooped

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  29. Ghost of Suarez9:49 am, July 09, 2015

    I am not even sure how much of a risk it would be..we would still get a tribunal fee, and it sounds like they are about to tell us we have to pay £8 or £9m for Ings so we would likely get £20-,£25m plus Sterlings services for two years at only £35k per week....I don't buy it that we can't keep him, players want to play and win so once the window closed he would knuckle down.

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  30. For another season perhaps but by then his transfer value will have dropped significantly.


    Perhaps Liverpool waned him on their contract terms or to sell him. Either way relationships now are very strained and I expect he will go soon.


    It will be interesting in a year's time to reflect on the position Liverpool, BR and Sterling find themselves in

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  31. but he's the next steven gerrard didn't you know?

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  32. Aquiilani is available on a free. Could this be the answer to our need for a robust DM?

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  33. Judging by the coaches we are bringing in i'm wondering if Rodgers has become everyone's "Friend" The 2 names coming in aren't soft like BR.
    I think we got a bit too everyone lets have a laugh and be mates more than Professional footballers.

    Were making some solid moves so far, I'm expecting big changes from the team this season.

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  34. No.., please another player.. i like if liverpool buy a top striker like lacazatte or benteke and we add a good attacking player like reus.. his germany and hes more strong body. He a provem goal scorer and he can create any movement.
    ....
    PEDRO still a good but he become 28.. 30 million for another 2 years.. now..
    Reus are more posibble and he can sign for another 4 years.
    ....

    ?...................................mignolet...........
    ?............clyne...............skertel...............shako
    ?...................hendo.......milner..............can
    ?..............firminho.........cautinho....reus
    ?.................................Lacazette

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  35. with Pedro and Lacazette, we could win the league

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  36. Exactly. We can't sign everyone

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  37. Does he come with armour?

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  38. Sterling making a right arse of LFC and himself by not turning up for training again. Clearly he does not want to be at Anfield so the time to get the deal to City done is now. Keeping him should not be an option anymore.

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  39. Well Rodgers has not had much to say as yet, not even getting airtime on the official LFC website. That can only mean one thing, FSG have asked him in a very nice way to not have verbal diarrhea anymore which would be a blessing in disguise.

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  40. I doubt keeping him was ever an option after his agents outburst well i see Berahino has dropped Ward as an agent if Raheem had any brains he would too.

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  41. Problem is that the situation for Sterling is too far gone. Even if he gets rid of his agent it cannot repair the damage that has been done.

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  42. Not saying it will but next time Aidy needs an extra few mill he will just tell Raheem its time to move and shame him again elsewhere.

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  43. Did he turn down a move to LFC?

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  44. Ghost of Suarez1:44 pm, July 09, 2015

    It's pretty naive to think that this is in part not instigated by Citeh mate....Aidy Ward wouldn't have taken this stance if they hadn't tipped him the nod. He wouldn't risk leaving Sterling standing with no seat when the music stopped as then he wouldn't get paid....

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  45. You guys..........

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  46. Hhahaha!

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  47. Hahahaha!

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  48. Magic man... just start at the head! Lose your appetite quick if you start the other end...

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  49. Ghost of Suarez1:50 pm, July 09, 2015

    Ward only has two clients now...Oxlade-Chamberlain must be wondering WTF he has done going with Ward....Sterling must be at least asking himself questions now

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  50. I kinda get that feeling too... Been a lon time since the first two offers....I would bet Pellegrini is not too impressed by what he's witnessing...

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  51. Could LFC force Sterling to move to Lyon or Dortmund in exchange?

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  52. Why do you delete comments that disagree with you?

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  53. Pedro and Turan would both bring an inordinate amount of class to the Liverpool starting lineup.

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  54. How i understand it, a player can decline to be part of a player swap scenario because it would effect effect their share of the transfer fee and agent fees.
    If sterling was to put in a transfer request he would lose that right and his loyalty bonus and liverpool could perform a cash+ player deal for him but he would still need to agree personal terms.
    I think city is the only likely option for him

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  55. Even if it was, the agent should know better than to burn all bridges with the club, risk the career of his client as well as his

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  56. Boo HOO Boo HOO - Little Raheem is ill cause that nasty man B R deliberately did not stand close to him in a Team Photo and thus making him so ill Mummy

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  57. Sorry I think we need to keep Sterling for the following reasons:

    1. Punishment -put him on the bench, play him in the reserves, do whatever it takes until he learns some humility and respect for authority. In that time, we're only paying him (and this is small cheese for EPL standards) a mere £35k per week, which works out to £0.8m in salary until 1st Dec

    2. By all accounts (bookies, fixture list, historical stats) BR is a slow starter in the EPL, and is currently odd-on to lose his job by 1st Dec. Hence, if Sterling is repentant and we were to get a new manager, then things make work out for the best in the new year

    3. We have the Euro Championships in 2016, and if Sterling wants to maintain his England place, he will need to moderate his behaviour, first to play and then to impress sufficiently to be selected for the England squad.

    4. If all of the above feasibly occur, we can then offload Sterling to Real Madrid for £80m+, at which time LFC can solve the problem with a tidy profit.

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  58. I'll - sorry, I mean they'll be back!

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  59. Why should he respect any other self appointed authority?


    I know I would struggle to respect BR given the nonsense he spouts and the habit he has of saying one thing and doing another. He has nothing to do with contract negotiations and should have kept his nose out, but anyway too late now.

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  60. I don't know why but I have an image of psycho

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  61. I agree and authority in this context does not pertain directly to BR - so I accept your point.

    However Sterling needs to respect LFC and us fans as well.

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  62. original-gideon7:33 pm, July 09, 2015

    They're probably orchestrating the mischief.

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  63. Yes, because Real Madrid will spend 80+million on a player with one year on his contract.

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  64. I originally thought that too Mick the red, but then look at it from the other angle, Pedro has all the major trophies from playing with Barca, the one in fact change that two things he will be offered are a fat wage cheque and the promise of lots and lots of game play, something that he won't get for the clubs that are looking for back up plans. Firmino, Milner and Clyne all states one thing that attracted them is the promise of lots of game time. Firmino was convinced by Coutinho but that's another matter.

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  65. original-gideon7:56 pm, July 09, 2015

    I have no interest in Sterling anymore. I find the whole saga quite baffling that it's dragged on the way it has with the mischief, when the smartest thing to do was say nothing. Everyone's happy. Everyone gets a slice of the pie when the transfer happens. What's happened is he's turned not only the club's fans against himself but, the countries media and plenty of opposition fans by the looks of forumd. Its crazy. It's not just us he needs to worry about playing in front of next season it's every ground. No fans except city's will give him an easy ride. What a wally. YNWA

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  66. "Brendan, calm down with the media, you're not on the phone to your Mom"

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  67. I think Ayre is at the Emirates now, trying to squeeze another 5mill out of them to get shut, 45mill would be daylight robbery for such a overated player, goodluck to pelligrini your going to need it.

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  68. Spot on Logan. I think it was a specific condition for keeping his job. "STFU or you are out. By the way, forget all that fantastic, superb, top class, exceptional bullsh*t as well... If you can stop all that BR you get to start the season...." - John Henry

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  69. Ok
    1) Reus picks up quite a few injuries
    2) Reus has committed himself to Dortmund
    3 That formation has is ridiculous 3-3-3-1?
    4) At least get the simple spellings right Skrtel/Sakho alright Coutinho has a few more letters in it but the other shouldn't be a problem.

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  70. Ha ha I like that.., I like that a lot

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  71. Speaking? A successful Academy product? He was a bag of sand with legs. Doesn't speak well of the Academy.

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  72. well the fact that Rodgers is still our coach and they start preseason in just a couple days is pretty good indicator that Klopp will not be arriving anytime soon.
    your so clever calling the man bodgers, so classy. keep it classy.
    oh yeah by the way Rodgers is still the coach, so your still wrong!

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  73. Emirates is Arsenal, which is Wenger. But, what did you call me Mr. Know Not? actually knows what is going on, once again.

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  74. I think Emre Can is better.

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