The former England Under-21 winger rose through the ranks of the Reds’ Kirkby academy after joining them as a kid.

And his performances as he featured for their various youth teams earned him plaudits and led to claims that he’d be the next big thing at Anfield.

Ince made just one senior appearance for Liverpool though - coming on as a substitute against Northampton in the League Cup in September 2010.

The following summer the 25-year-old opted not to sign a new contract and ended up joining Blackpool, who were playing in the Championship at the time.

Ince has now revealed why he decided to walk away from Liverpool - despite having wanted to play for them and there being a contract offer on the table to stay put.

He told The Telegraph: "If you are a young player waiting for a chance at a top club, what do you do? Stay in the top facility, enjoying all the best travel, wearing all the best sports gear?

"Or do you say I am going to be brave and step away even if that means going to League One or the Championship?

"Harry Kane is the prime example. He went on loan, went back to Tottenham and the rest is history. Credit to him. When people saw him at Norwich or Leicester, who saw his next step? He backed himself and now people forget the doubts they might have had. I think more are seeing it that way. Look at Tammy Abraham and Nathaniel Chalobah. They have done the right thing for their career by leaving Chelsea.

Tom Ince made just one senior Liverpool appearance before leaving Anfield in 2011
Former England Under-21 international Tom Ince joined Blackpool on a free transfer in 2011

"My dream was to play at Anfield but I could not waste time feeling my way was blocked. You have to take decisions and do what is best for your career. I did not want to leave. I was training with the first team. But I needed to go and show what I was about.

"I had been to Notts County on loan and that was the eye opener. It was League One, but it was the atmosphere and feeling of playing against grown men who are doing this because it is their life, to put food on the table. I was 18, playing in front of 10,000 or 15,000 who have paid to watch you. It was better than playing in front of 20 or 30 fans in a reserve game. There is no sense of reward, inspiration or even motivation if you do not have that game at 3pm on a Saturday to look forward to. I did not want to go back to that."

Ince’s career has since taken in spells with Crystal Palace, Hull, Nottingham Forest, Derby and Huddersfield.

He’ll be hoping to impress when the Terriers visit Swansea on Saturday (3pm).