The Welsh international has been in encouraging form in recent weeks…
Joe Allen has been one of Liverpool’s most impressive players since the turn of the year, playing a crucial role in us progressing up the Premier League table and closing in on the Champions League places.
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As the Daily Mirror reports, the midfielder struggled for form during his first season at Anfield, and was one of those that were heavily criticised during our difficult start to the current campaign.
However, injuries to Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva handed the Welshman the opportunity to re-establish himself in the Reds team, and the 25-year-old grabbed his chance with both hands.
Allen followed manager Brendan Rodgers to Liverpool in 2012, when he joined us in a £15m deal from Swansea City, but founded it much harder to adapt to life on Merseyside, where he struggled to hold down a regular spot.
Now he looks well-placed to become a permanent midfield partner for Jordan Henderson, playing just behind the vice-captain in Rodgers’ 3-4-3 formation.
Speaking about the turnaround, Allen said: “I look back to my first season at Liverpool and I was disappointed with the way I approached it at times.
“My dip in form affected my confidence and things like that. It was the first time I had experienced that really and was new to me.
“At club level at Swansea, it had always been progress, really. So it was a bit of a setback, but I came through it and am really looking forward to the future.
“It is something everyone goes through and overcomes eventually. It is something that comes with experience really. You obviously have your family and friends around you who help you and team-mates at my club.
“The last couple of seasons I have certainly learned a lot and improved from that point of view having had those experiences.
“I understand now I have experienced a lot of highs in my career but unfortunately there are times when you will have some lows.
“I don’t consider myself a young player any more though. I have got enough experience both at club and international level to feel a big part of the squad.
“And the experience I have had in the past will hold me in good stead going forward in international football.”