'Why Allen can star at Anfield'
After Liverpool completed the signing of Joe Allen from Swansea City last week, LFC TV spoke to Gareth Vincent from the South Wales Evening Post to get his view on what we can expect from our new No.24.
Tell us about Joe Allen's background and how he came through. He was at Swansea from a very young age, wasn't he?
That's right. Joe joined Swansea when he was nine years old and was at the club for more than half of his life. From his early teens, I remember people talking about this young lad in the youth system who had a real chance of making it. When he was about 14 or 15, people were talking about him getting into the first team - and sure enough, he was just 17 when he eventually made it through. Although it took him a little while to establish himself in the first team, in the last couple of years he was absolutely terrific for Swansea.
What's the reaction been like there to Joe's move to Liverpool? Have the fans been devastated to see him go?
Yes, there is big disappointment. Swansea fans are still hurting from the fact Brendan Rodgers left in the first place - and now he's come back for one of their best players. I guess realistically that was always likely to happen, but from a fans' perspective it still hurts when it happens. Joe was such a big player for Swansea, particularly the year they came up from the Championship, and then last year he was one of their standout performers. Certainly, there's a big hole to fill now in central midfield for the new manager, Michael Laudrup.
He's had a big summer, going away with the Olympic squad and signing for Liverpool. He'll take all that in his stride, won't he?
I think so, yes. He's a really level-headed lad, he's a nice guy, and a gentle, easy-going, bright lad. He's got his head screwed on. I remember when he got into the team and I first did an interview with him, maybe five years ago now, he was really nervous but extremely polite. That's the way he's remained all the long - a good lad and a nice guy. People who know him are really pleased for him, and although Swansea are disappointed to lose him as a player, they're delighted he's got this terrific move to a big club like Liverpool and that's going to set him up for the rest of his career.
A quick word on Craig Bellamy. It sounds like he was on at Joe for three weeks to sign for Liverpool. He says we're getting an 'unbelievable' player. It's quite nice for an outgoing Liverpool player to be convincing a new one to come in...
I suppose from a Liverpool perspective, but if you're a Swansea fan you'd be unhappy that the Cardiff boy Craig Bellamy is trying to get rid of one of Swansea's best players! Craig Bellamy knows his football, he's renowned for it, and has obviously played alongside Joe with Wales and played against him. He knows all about what a talent Joe is. But I think everyone got to know that last year - Swansea got a lot of praise for the football they played and the results they got, and Joe in particular was one of the real star men.