Good opinion . I see it differently in a couple of ways. Firstly, I can't speak for injury-proneness; it might be an issue with the lad, but I'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt for now... Secondly, I see Allen as a third CM joining Gerrard and Hendo at the expense of a forward. I think he's carved a good niche there, as he doesn't have the full package for neither DM nor box-to-box CM role, hence operating in between them. Xhaka, Bender - I'm sure either would add quality to the team. I can't say for certain though whether their qualities would impinge more on Hendo's, Gerrard's or Allen's role.
Don't get me wrong IBWT, or Livtor, or anyone else. The lad has a good engine and he does have a good sense of teamwork with the other two he's playing with, no matter who he is playing with. In my opinion he is a good squad option and I would love to have him stay here, proving that we find someone to fill that third spot in midfield once Gerrard's legs begin to go. Whoever that is will get tired, will need to be rotated. Injuries happen. I'd take Allen over a lot of more skillful players that don't have his drive and commitment. All I'm trying to say is that for Liverpool to want to do something in the Champions league against the likes of Bayern and Barca, a higher standard is required for one or two positions in the squad. Allen's, unfortunately, is one of them. Fair points. We may have games where we won't want to play to our forwards as much. Allen is a shout in those games. That niche you mention, I've noticed it too. It's not a traditional role and I see why he might struggle to make an impact from there. Hopefully he proves me and the rest of the doubters wrong!
I agree with Rodgers. Not only is he good at football but he's also charismatic and charming, and he looks good in shorts. I love the beautiful glint in his eye when he gives interviews, they're so deep and lovely I could swim in them.
He's a good player and important member of our squad. I'll take BR judgement over anyone else's on the lad
Not sure where he gets this 'top class' movement reputation from... From what I've seen, his movement is very similar to Henderson. They both press very well, they both keep the ball or pass it simple when they need to, they both move in pockets in the middle of the pitch and get and give too. Wouldn't call either of them top class though. Henderson is younger and will develop more - he also has more strings to his bow. Allen, as mentioned by other people, is now 24! He's not a 20 year old of potential, he should be controlling games now. Look, he's good at what he does. He's a useful squad member and he gels really well with our other midfielders (in our current formation, not as part of a deep lying duo) which makes him better than he actually is - sum of parts and all - but he's not top class at anything.
