For Tom Ince, it’s not a case of like father like son. While Paul “The Guv’nor” Ince was more of a midfield enforcer for the likes of Manchester United, Inter Milan and Liverpool, Tom is a twinkle-toed winger with an eye for goal.

The 19-year-old started out at Liverpool’s Academy and if rumours are to be believed, the Blackpool winger will come full circle and return to Anfield in January.

So what can Liverpool expect from the promising youngster?

Fans and pundits first took notice of Ince last season when he burst onto the scene at Blackpool after moving from Liverpool in August 2011.

The England U21 international was a regular making 41 appearances in all competitions as the Tangerines reached the Championship playoffs. Ince netted eight times including once in the Playoff final.

Actim Index

But this season he has really kicked on, scoring 13 times in 23 games so far – five more than the whole of last term.

Even from a left wing berth, he has no qualms about taking potshots at goal with 40 attempts on target in the first half of 2012-13 – more than strikers Kevin Phillips, Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Nathan Delfouneso combined.

And he does not shirk the traditional duties of a wide man with a grand total of 10 Championship assists.
According to the Actim Index – a ranking system for players in the Npower Championship – Ince is the sixth best player in the division.

And he is suited to Liverpool in the sense that Blackpool plays a 4-3-3 with the winger normally starting on the left of the front three.

With his eye for goal, Reds manager Brendan Rodgers might be tempted to test him on the right where he can cut in onto his accurate left peg.

It is not a done deal by any means but if it goes through then representing Liverpool will be one similarity Ince will share with his father on the pitch.