Liverpool’s wonderkid winger Sheyi Ojo has lauded fellow young Englishman Dele Alli, who he sees as a role model due to the Spurs midfielder’s progression from League One star to international regular.
Alli only arrived at White Hart Lane last summer from Mk Dons, but within a year he’d established himself as a starter for England after a string of exceptional Premier League performances.
Ojo is one year younger than Alli and is hoping to have a similar impact at Premier League level to the Tottenham wonderkid.
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“Dele’s with the England squad and doing well for Tottenham, and back then [at MK Dons] he had the same swagger he has now,” he told FourFourTwo.
“The step up he’s made to the Premier League and the international stage is an inspiration for all young players. I’d like to follow in those footsteps.
“Last season was a memorable season for me. It went really well and I learned a lot as a player and a person. I’m looking to use that this season. I’m not where I want to be yet. There are a lot of things that I need to do and a lot of hard work needs to be put in for me to get there. My main aim is to break into the first team on a full-time basis, and keep progressing.”
Ojo’s impressed enormously during pre-season, even though he missed plenty of the fixtures due to his participation with England Under-19s.
His performances mean Jurgen Klopp could well make him a part of his regular first-team squad this term, competing with the likes of Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana for places out wide.
Liverpool snapped up Ojo from MK Dons in 2007, but were unfortunately unable to convince Alli to sign four years later. We wanted him, but wouldn’t pay the money required, reported the Daily Mail, which in hindsight was an awful decision as he’s now worth ten times what he cost Spurs.