Time for Liverpool to Pay Joe Allen

Joe Allen used to be a running joke amongst Liverpool fans. He was after all Brendan Rodgers first signing when the manager came over from Swansea. Under Rodgers, Allen appeared to be a signing bust. He was tentative, would get devoted by other midfielders, and made some boneheaded passes. Sure he had outplayed Yaya in a game in 2015, yet those type of matches were too few and far between. Plus he did not seem to be healthy as he was injury prone. This did not look like the man that had shined at Swansea. Certainly Allen was not worth the $15million that Liverpool had paid for him. No it appeared Liverpool would pay for Rodgers mistake. Then Jurgen Klopp came and Joe Allen had a rebirth. Now Joe Allen appears to be the long lost box to box midfielder that Liverpool have longed for. But now his contract is coming up at the end of the season. Liverpool need to bring him back. 

Joe Allen's tenure at Liverpool did not get off to the best of starts. When he was signed, many felt that the 15 million price tag was a bit high. While he did have some inspiring moments such as winning  player of the early in August 2012. Yet Allen appeared to have periods where he would never reach that potential. In his first year, Allen only scored 3 goals, one of which was in a league cup game against Oldham Athletic. Sure he was a midfielder, but he atleast needed to have more goals. Worst he had no assists, which is a terrible sign for a midfielder. On top of that a shoulder injury would limit his season. The following seasons were not much better. For all of Rodgers tenure he lacked any assists. He appeared to not be a creator which is how Rogers sold him to the fanbase as. Instead some Liverpool fans mocked him for his "sideways" passes. Many fans wanted him shipped off when Jurgen Klopp arrived. 

Joe Allen is the perfect story as to why one should not give up on a player too early. While many Liverpool fans wanted to dump him while Rodgers was still manager, Allen has found a revival under Klopp. Early in the German's tenure, it was Joe Allen that kept Liverpool in matches. The 26 year old has been more aggressive under Klopp, often attacking the ball to disposes opposing midfielders. It was the Welsh player that secured the game winning goal in the league cup against Stoke that sent Liverpool to Wembley. Allen has given Liverpool what they needed: a midfielder that can create, defend, and keep possession. Klopp has used Allen often when Liverpool has had to lead to maintain possession and choke the life out of opposing teams. Under Klopp, Allen has maintained more possession than he did under Rodgers. It appears that Klopp has found the role that suited Allen best, something Rodgers struggled to do with the he Welsh player.

Sure it hasn't all been roses for Joe Allen under Klopp. Allen had a disastrous second half against Southhampton that allowed the Saints to secure a stinging comeback. However, those type of games have been few and far between. Instead Liverpool fans have been treated to Joe Allen coming on and helping to lead one of the greatest comebacks in modern Liverpool history against Dortmund. It was Allen that came on and helped to secure the match against Villarreal. In a sense, Joe Allen has been the key to Liverpool's Europa league campaign. Without Allen's play under Klopp, one has to wonder  how far Liverpool would go.