Alex Neil: PNE couldn't stand in the way of Ben Davies' Liverpool move

Davies was set to move to Celtic, either on a pre-contract or a permanent deal, before the English champions stole ahead of their Scottish counterparts.

After coming through the youth ranks at PNE and spending over a decade at the club, manager Alex Neil felt that the club couldn't reject the approach from the Merseyside outfit.

He told the PNE website: "It was an opportunity that he certainly couldn’t knock back and we certainly couldn’t stand in his way.

"We’ve said that all along about our young players, if an opportunity comes up for them to go to the Premier League, and certainly a team like Liverpool, I think it’s an incredible opportunity for Ben.

"To be honest he deserves it, he’s worked extremely hard on his game and he’s been a terrific servant for us.

"He came through the youth academy here as well, so to produce one of our own and for them to go on to a team like Liverpool, it’s an incredible achievement for the club and for Ben himself. I really hope he goes on and gets an opportunity because I really think he could do well. I think he’s got the potential and the attributes in terms of his pace and his comfort on the ball to be a really top player so I will certainly follow him with interest."

The 25-year-old made 145 appearances for North End, with a further 104 games coming on loan at York, Tranmere, Southport, Newport and Fleetwood.

Davies will wear the no.28 shirt at Anfield, after signing a 'long-term contract' with the Reds.