Did this Gerrard blunder cost Liverpool the chance to sign Dele Alli?

Dele Alli has revealed that Liverpool attempted to woo him by introducing him to Steven Gerrard - only for the Reds star to miss the meeting because he was having a nap.

Alli eventually joined Tottenham from League One side MK Dons and has established himself as one of England's most promising young players at White Hart Lane.

The 20-year-old, who considers Gerrard his idol, was the subject of interest from a number of clubs but a visit to Liverpool did not quite go as planned.

“At the time when I was at MK there was contact with Liverpool before I signed for Tottenham, but that was before we’d even spoke to Tottenham,” Alli told BBC Football Focus. “I think it was six months before.

“We went up there and I think they knew that Steven Gerrard was my hero, so they said he was going to come down to meet me, but when I got there he was asleep apparently.

“I think he had a game the next day though so I understand.”

Alli netted 10 goals in 33 games in his debut Premier League campaign and was included in England's squad for Euro 2016, appearing in all four matches.