Steven Gerrard tells Dele Alli to "embrace the moment"

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 03 April 2016

Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard tells Dele Alli to enjoy his success while it lasts, warning that things will get tougher as time goes by.

Former England captain Steven Gerrard has urged Dele Alli to make the most of his meteoric rise to the national team.

The 19-year-old was playing League One football with MK Dons just last year, but has established himself as a key player for Tottenham Hotspur and England this term with a string of impressive performances.

Gerrard hopes that the youngster maintains that form for as long as possible, but warned that things will get more difficult as time goes by.

"If I could offer one piece of advice to Dele Alli and the England youngsters vying for a European Championship spot it's this - embrace the moment because now it's going to get really tough," the Liverpool legend told The Telegraph.

"Alli has earned all the praise coming his way, particularly after such a mature performance against Germany. What I would say to him – and this is something he might not realise until later in his career – is keep that mindset as long as you can because playing football is never more enjoyable or less stressful than when you first come to the fore.

"When you make an impact at an early age for club and country it feels like everything is going your way and the whole world is on your side. You wish this feeling could last your whole career."

Alli was part of the Tottenham team that drew 1-1 with Gerrard's former club Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.