Joe Allen [Sold]

[RichC]

More movement around him will help, he's a good passer of the ball and more options can not be a good thing

He does need to come out of the side again though, he's not playing well and needs a break.

[Fredo]

He does look forward. There was a passage of play yesterday which shows it well. One great forward pass to either Luis or Stevie (could have been Sturridge can't remember). His primary role is to keep the ball, though he clearly can play slightly further up. He has been dangerous against Sunderland and could have scored a few times.

He will develop. I like him. He made mistakes yesterday but we do them a few times every game as a team.

[Norbs]

His face *is* a little bit annoying though Nigey

[Fredo]

It's irrelevant.

He can play and they didn't press us as high second half because we played better. Kept the ball and put them under pressure.

We need to play like this from the start.

[spider-neil]

Is the movement ahead of him really relevant considering his instinct is so clearly not to look forward and pass? He looked better second half because they did not press us as high and quick, that's all IMO.

Better movement = Better passing options.
Maybe Manu weren't pressing us as much second half because they were being dragged all over the shop by willing runners.

[Norbs]

It's irrelevant.

He can play and they didn't press us as high second half because we played better. Kept the ball and put them under pressure.

We need to play like this from the start.

You don't say

[Kenneth]

His face *is* a little bit annoying though Nigey

[Rich]

It is wrong to single out Allen.

He's struggling in a midfield which isn't working - that is down to individual form but also balance and tactics.

Still feels like square pegs and round holes to me.

At the moment with the other midfielders on the books Henderson should be starting ahead of Allen. Jordan's energy helps cover Gerrard, when our captain decides he can't be bothered to track back.

[Captain Stu]

He works in the middle of the much-fabled 4-3-3 but in the 4-2-3-1 that we SHOULD be playing - he doesn't fit - he's not defensive enough to play in the "2" and we have better attacking options to play in the "3" so I think he WILL at some point be essential to Rodger's vision of Liverpool but right now... I'm not convinced he's a better option than Henderson, in fact I'm certain of it.

[Alex]

It is wrong to single out Allen.

He's struggling in a midfield which isn't working - that is down to individual form but also balance and tactics.

Still feels like square pegs and round holes to me.

At the moment with the other midfielders on the books Henderson should be starting ahead of Allen. Jordan's energy helps cover Gerrard, when our captain decides he can't be bother to track back.

Dont think that's fair. I just think Gerrard is more limited now and as such needs to manage himself through a game. He cant be bombing everywhere as he will be gassing at halftime. No point in having him in the side then. Jordan does do a lot of his running and tracking back though. But I dare say Gerrard did the same for players like Redknapp when he was younger.

[Phoenix07]

He's playing very differently compared to how he did at Swansea, which involved more runs with the ball and circulating it to attacking players quicker.

I do wonder about our pursuit of Sigurdsson and Allen. They're both completely different players, yet we wanted them (Sigurdsson was first).

[Lecter]

I think one of Allens biggest problems is that he isnt strong enough

He looks weak as a kitten in there and easily shrugged off the ball/robbed of possession

Maybe that the cause of this is that the midfield lacks balance

I expected Lucas to address the balance of the side when he returned but he hasnt done so yet, maybe understandably considering his long lay off

IMO we look a far more balanced side with Henderson in there, than we do with Allen in the middle

[danperkins]

I think one of Allens biggest problems is that he isnt strong enough

He looks weak as a kitten in there and easily shrugged off the ball/robbed of possession

Maybe that the cause of this is that the midfield lacks balance

I expected Lucas to address the balance of the side when he returned but he hasnt done so yet, maybe understandably considering his long lay off

IMO we look a far more balanced side with Henderson in there, than we do with Allen in the middle

Allen looks like a boy playing against men. Henderson is a better option within our current squad.

We need better than both IMO.

[Nick77]

I think one of Allens biggest problems is that he isnt strong enough

I think his biggest problem is Henderson is better than him & Rodgers' stubborness to keep picking his darling Xavi as opposed to the in form Henderson is gonna be the team's major downfall this season...

[Captain Stu]

I think his biggest problem is Henderson is better than him & Rodgers' stubborness to keep picking his darling Xavi as opposed to the in form Henderson is gonna be the team's major downfall this season...

There's a place for Allen in the long run but, right now, Henderson deserves it on form. Absolutely no doubts about that.