Considering the extremely high standards that Harry Kane has been setting in north London this season, Dele Alli will know that he hasn’t been at the top of his game in the opening nine matches.

Last season the 21-year-old was sensational, scoring 18 times and assisting seven goals in 37 Premier League matches on his way to winning the PFA Young Player of the Year for the second successive season, and heading into the 2017-18 campaign he was the man every Draft Fantasy player wanted for their own.

Yet, something has  not quite clicked for Alli this year, playing second fiddle to the likes of Kane and Christian Eriksen after a slow start, scoring just three times, with almost a quarter of the season gone already.

There’s no doubt that his lack of definitive impact in the final third has caused frustration for a number of Draft Fantasy managers, scoring less than five points in five of Tottenham’s opening eight matches, and it seemed that the youngster has been hitting the headlines for all of the wrong reasons lately.

His obscene gesture towards former teammate Kyle Walker whilst on international duty with England caused unnecessary problems whilst, the week after being handed a one-match ban for that very incident, he earnt more unwanted press for needless simulation inside the area during the 4-0 win at Huddersfield.

This, added to the fact he’s been suspended for all three of Tottenham’s Champions League appearances so far this season, has all added up to a rather underwhelming few months for Alli.

However, there is a real possibility that Sunday’s commanding victory over Liverpool at Wembley Stadium could re-ignite his season and once again leave him as one of the most sought-after midfield options in the game.

Jurgen Klopp’s side simply couldn’t handle a rampant Tottenham, falling two goals behind inside the opening quarter of an hour before shipping two more, and Alli was at the heart of Spurs’ dominance.

He managed to get himself on the score-sheet for only the third time this season, finding himself in space on the edge of the box to fire a volley past Simon Mignolet, but his overall contribution at both ends of the pitch was outstanding from start to finish and he showed a fresh side to his growing game.

His box-to-box approach on Sunday – rather than his more customary creative midfield role – paid dividends and it would have no doubt given Mauricio Pochettino something to think about for the pivotal trip to Manchester United next weekend, a game that could see Tottenham rise into second.

This switch of role on the field, as well as benefitting his side, also benefitted the managers who have Alli, earning three points under the ‘Kante Bonus’ and securing a season-high tally of 12 points.

But above all, he played with such a swagger and a sense of confidence that has almost become synonymous with Alli over the past two years, attempting the sort of audacious tricks and flicks that a top-flight player only attempts when feeling near to the top of their game – just ask Liverpool midfielder Emre Can.

Another huge test lies in wait at Old Trafford on Saturday but, with Alli rejuvenated following his Liverpool exploits last weekend, now could be the perfect time to have him in your Draft Fantasy side.