Joe Allen showed remarkable talent at Liverpool

Joe Allen, a former Liverpool midfielder, was once labeled the 'Welsh Xavi' by coach Brendan Rodgers. This nickname came when he joined Liverpool from Swansea City in 2012. However, Allen admitted it was difficult for him to live up to this comparison throughout his career. During his time at Liverpool, Allen made 130 appearances but struggled for playing time under later manager Jurgen Klopp. He left the club for Stoke City in 2016. Recently, a former teammate, Hal Robson-Kanu, praised Allen's talent, saying he reached an "insane level" for about 18 months while at Liverpool. Robson-Kanu highlighted that injuries held Allen back during his peak. Allen has expressed how challenging it was to carry the 'Welsh Xavi' tag. He shared his disappointment over the way he found out about his transfer to Stoke. He learned through a friend's text that Liverpool had accepted a deal for him. Allen felt the club's communication was lacking, especially since he was unsure of their intentions regarding his future. After leaving Liverpool, Allen spent six years at Stoke before returning to Swansea City in 2022. Although he briefly retired from international football in 2023, he was recalled by Welsh manager Craig Bellamy. Bellamy praised Allen as one of Wales' greatest players, noting his leadership qualities and contributions to the team.