Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has claimed that Tottenham and England star Dele Alli is better than Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was at the same age.
Writing for theDaily Mailafter England's uninspiring 0-0 draw in Slovenia, Redknapp said:"Dele Alli is the one player who you think is going to make something happen.We're blessed to have [Alli] in the national team.
"Not even Steven Gerrard was displaying that kind of authority at that age.Alli didn't even play as well as he can, but you can tell the other players have respect for him.
"He can be England's linchpin for many years to come.I was disappointed to see him come off."
Although clearly impressed with Alli, Redknapp doesn't think his Spurs teammate Eric Dier is playing at the same level as he was last season, possibly due to the arrival of new defensive midfielder Victor Wanyama from Southampton in the summer.
"Eric Dier is not the player he was last season. There was almost a strut to him last year with Tottenham and England, but I feel Victor Wanyama has had an effect on him.
"There's that little competition for places and he is slightly lacking in confidence. On Tuesday night he was caught twice with back passes in the first half.
"When you're playing well, your first thought is to play the ball forward but he was trying to take the safe option. He'll get through this and he could be England's captain one day, but no doubt it's made a difference to his game."