Everton target Tyler Dibling once revealed that his football mentor was a Toffees fan despite being a cult hero for bitter rivals Liverpool.
Everton want to sign Tyler Dibling, with TBR Football confirming that Dibling is also keen on a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium from Southampton.
The England Under-21 international was one of Southampton’s standout players last season, giving a good account of himself despite the team’s woes.
Should Everton succeed in signing Dibling, they would be signing a player who has been receiving advice from an individual with notable links to Merseyside.
Adam Lallana of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Ipswich Town FC at St Mary's Stadium on September 21, 2024
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Tyler Dibling was mentored by Adam Lallana
Back in 2024, Southampton World spoke to Dibling, who revealed that Adam Lallana had been giving him advice and acting as a mentor.
When asked which Southampton player had been most helpful in his development at the time, Dibling said: “Adam Lallana has been most helpful.
“He’s done it at the top level already and is always asking me and Sam [Amo-Ameyaw] questions and giving us advice.”
🚨 𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐋 | Ever wondered why Tyler Dibling plays in low socks and tiny shin pads?
We had the pleasure of speaking with #SaintsFC’s rising star Tyler Dibling, who took some time to answer a few of our questions:
🗣️ Tyler on his expectations for this season: “Expectations… pic.twitter.com/GNXB3vJIBK
— SouthamptonWorld (@SouthamptonCL) September 2, 2024
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Lallana announced his retirement earlier this year, calling time on a playing career that saw him make over 300 appearances in the Premier League for Liverpool, Southampton and Brighton and Hove Albion.
As things stand, talks between Everton and Southampton for Dibling have hit a sticking point, as per TBR Football sources.
READ MORE: David Moyes and Ashley Young told Rio Ferdinand that Everton player is ‘going straight to the top’
Other Liverpool greats who grew up supporting Everton
Speaking on Twitter in a Q&A session with Liverpool community programme Red Neighbours in 2017, Lallana revealed he supported Everton as a youngster.
“I have a confession,” he said, as cited by the Daily Mail, when asked about his childhood club. “It was Everton because my dad supported them. I’m a Red now though.”
Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher are among the most high-profile Liverpool cult heroes who grew up supporting Everton.