It’s sometimes difficult to translate foreign news reports, but we assume German publication Bild are being entirely positive when they refer to Liverpool’s Brazilian teenager Allan Rodrigues as ‘The Sugarloaf Magician’!
The deep-lying playmaker is currently on trial with Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin with a view to a loan move, and it seems he’s done enough for manager Pal Dardai to take the plunge.
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“I told the owner that I would like to see Allan in our team and that I would love to work with him,” Dardai began.
“For a 19-year-old he is snappy, can see the game, has tricks and game intelligence. He has responded very quickly even with turnovers. He’s incredibly fast in action. A really good guy. And he has also a tremendous shot. “
Praise indeed!
Allan arrived from Internacional last summer, but has yet to represent Liverpool because he can’t get a work permit. As a result, he’s spent time on loan in Finland and Belgium, but this upcoming spell at Hertha Berlin will be a much bigger test.
If he can prove himself in the German league, and it seems he’s given himself a fighting chance of minutes just in his first week of training, hopefully Jurgen Klopp can integrate him into Liverpool’s squad come next summer.
Allan is technically superb and has a cultured left foot, but he’ll need to bulk up physically if he’s to eventually establish himself in the Premier League.