---
title: "Allen’s Reemergence"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/allens-reemergence/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Fred Haas"
section: "Articles"
published: "2015-03-04T16:31:36Z"
modified: "2015-03-04T16:31:36Z"
---

# Allen’s Reemergence

Since turning their season around, Liverpool has been forced to address inevitable injuries and player rotation to sustain their successful run of form. Players have been shuffled and opportunities have been presented. Returning from his own bout of injuries, Joe Allen has reemerged as an important contributor to the squad.

Being the first purchase by then new manager Brendan Rodgers was never going to be easy. A key cog in the ‘Swanseaola’ side that Rodgers had left to join Liverpool, Allen also cost a hefty £15 million. Add to that the additional pressure of television cameras documenting everything about the signing for ‘*Being: Liverpool’*, and Rodgers’ own cringeworthy pronouncement that he had signed the “Welsh Xavi”, all made for more than an auspicious arrival.

In fact, few players in the squad inspire quite the same level of heated debate amongst supporters. There are those that hail Allen as a thinking man’s footballer that can only be appreciated by more sophisticated observers. Then there are also those that believe Allen is a lightweight, low impact player that offers little beyond passing the ball sideways or backwards, as Alan Shearer famously criticised him for after he arrived on Merseyside. As often, the truth is somewhere in between.

On the heels of what may have been his best match in a red shirt, Joe Allen continues to make a case that he is an integral squad player with even more unrealised value. Granted the statistical sample sizes are small this season but they are revealing.

There is no question that keeping the ball moving is key to Allen’s game and at an 89% accuracy rating he leads all midfield or attacking players. More impressive is that his accuracy barely drops when in the opponents half at 85%. Given the knock that he plays it safe, it is interesting to note that he passes the ball forward about twice as often as he does backwards, according to *Squawka* passing metrics. It is his efficiency that is most remarkable.

Yet, in truth, many elements of Allen’s game are not easily spotted or statistically measured. There are no statistics that measure a players ability to read the game, anticipate, provide defensive cover, or be available to relieve a player with the ball under pressure. That can only be observed.

The Manchester City match highlights these elements of his game in relief. Allen found Philippe Coutinho 14 times, helping the Brazilian to an undisputed man of the match performance. Defensively he spent significant time covering and being available for Dejan Lovren, who was targeted by the opposition and under heavy pressure. When not directly involved in attack, he reliably slid centrally to become the pivot and allow Jordan Henderson to advance forward, complimenting the burgeoning midfield partnership.

So often, he is the player that makes the pass before the pass that everyone sees. In the match’s first meaningful attacking threat, it was Allen that started it. Providing Lovren needed relief from the corner, he turned from deep on the left and advanced the ball to the half-way line, drawing two, where he found Coutinho, who ultimately sent Adam Lallana through the middle and into the box.

Granted there are matches and circumstances where he is not the idea player. He is physically small and can be overpowered, at times. However, he is an excellent option on the bench when a change of shape is needed. He excels in high tempo, high press tactical situations, and is arguably one of the best players in the side when playing with a lead or trying to see out a match.

At Liverpool, he may not be a week-in-week-out starter but can still prove an even more valuable asset in the squad. And at 24, there is still development left to be realised in his game.