The reason why Joe Allen is important to Liverpool

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By @paul_baker

Great news this week is that Daniel Sturridge has signed a new five year contract with the Club. That’s a good signal to sent out, that the top young English players see their future’s at Anfield. Hopefully it will help to encourage the next transfer market targets to sign up when Rogers chooses them!

With Daniel absent from the side for the last few weeks, a great deal has been talked and written about his value and how the side has missed him. All that is of course true. He is a vital member of the starting 11. His work rate, movement and goals are linked to the success of the Reds!

Somebody who is also a key player in the squad, but does not get the same level of press interest,  is the “Welsh Xavi” Joe Allen.

Signed by Brendan Rogers for £15 million back in 2012, he has grown into a vital player for the Club. Somebody said to me, they never really understood what Allen did, until he was out of the side injured!

After undergoing a reported double hernia operation, he should be back ready for the QPR game.

Allen had a tough first season, but has become the cog that makes the midfield work. His key features are his intensity in pressuring the opposition. He is a intelligent player, has great composure and bags of tactical discipline. His movement helps the midfield to keep their shape!

With Gerrard getting a little bit slower, Allen is able to take on the role of defensive midfielder. He can play what sometimes appear to be only safe paces, but that is sometimes the best option. His link up play with Gerrard and Henderson is a positive feature of the Reds side.

The target for improvement this season is goals. It will be an area Allen is desperate to improve upon. If Lucas returns to the starting 11, this will allow Joe the chance to show his attacking side more. His intelligent and his clever passing will help the team create the chances that are so far lacking this season.

Hopefully all the Reds players will return with no injuries from international duty. The side can then continue to build upon the positive areas of the West Brom game.
YNWA

@paul_baker