"Joe Allen becoming one of Premier League's top talents, says Brendan Rodgers"
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport...remier-6857099"Brendan Rodgers has praised the progress of Joe Allen at Liverpool FC in recent weeks.
And the Reds boss believes the Welshman is ready to prove himself to be one of the Premier League's biggest midfield talents.
Allen has worked his way back into Rodgers' starting 11 of late, after an injury-disrupted first 18 months on Merseyside.
The 24-year-old was one of the Reds' star performers in last weekend's 3-0 win at Manchester United , and Rodgers says Allen is now showing the form which led him to spend £15m bringing him to Anfield from Swansea City.
Rodgers said: “Joe was outstanding at Old Trafford, he covered more ground than anybody, and he pressed the ball and passed the ball well.
“I believe he is one of the top Premier League talents. He came here, and started in the first three months remarkably well. He was the supporters' player of the month in that time.
“He then had a little difficult period, trained very well but then got injured, so his first season was up and down, purely in terms of that injury.
“But I know his talent better than anyone. He had a great pre-season then unfortunately got injured again. He's such a courageous player, in the way he passes and presses the ball.
In this country it can be frowned upon to a certain extent. We want midfield players scoring goals, or smashing into challenges. Joe, though, is an intelligent player who protects the ball very well.
“He will prove to be an outstanding player here. He's near the top of his game, performing well. Hopefully that continues this weekend.”
Rodgers was speaking ahead of his side's trip to Cardiff City this weekend. Victory for the Reds would see them keep up the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table, but Rodgers reiterated that he is approaching things one game at a time."
