Joe: I won't be distracted
No distractions – that's the message from Joe Allen as the Liverpool midfielder prepares to face former club Swansea City in the Barclays Premier League.
Allen played the full 90 minutes when his old side secured a Capital One Cup triumph at Anfield in October, but Sunday represents a first return to the Liberty Stadium for the 22-year-old.
Although unsure of the reception he'll receive from the home crowd, Allen intends to have tunnel vision - with his focus only on returning to Merseyside with three points.
"I'm excited. As soon as I signed here, this was the sort of fixture I looked for," the Welsh international explained to Liverpoolfc.com.
"It's going to be strange for me, travelling there and being in the opposition changing room, the opposite side of the tunnel. But it's one I'm looking forward to being involved in.
"With games like this, you can get distracted by the occasion. There's maybe those strange feelings that I'm sure I'll have, but my job is to go there and represent Liverpool with the best performance I can, and play for my team and hopefully come away with all three points.
"I had a great time there, I was there for a very long time so I have got nothing but love for that club and those supporters, so hopefully they'll treat me well."
The Reds travel to Wales on a seven-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League and fresh from a rousing 3-0 victory over Wigan Athletic, a result which inspired the diminutive playmaker.
"That's a big part of football - gaining momentum whenever you can," he added. "The confidence and belief it gives you going into the next game makes all the difference.
"After a result like Saturday's, I can't wait to get back out there in another Premier League game and try to achieve the same."
Sunday's game will certainly come too early for the returning Lucas Leiva, who is on the comeback trail following injury, but Allen expects the Brazilian to provide a double boost when ready for action.
He explained: "He'll have a big impact on everyone, the whole team, and on me individually I'm sure because he's a great player at this club.
"Players like that, when they do have injuries or suspensions, they're missed. We all can't wait for him to be back and welcome him with open arms to help us.
"I haven't thought about it too much but we know that he has great defensive abilities, which may change a few things, allow a few different players to concentrate on other elements of their game.
"I'd like to think that hopefully it means I'll have a bit more licence to get involved further up the pitch."
Having worked with Brendan Rodgers for two seasons at Swansea, Allen understands the manager better than anyone in the Liverpool dressing room.
The midfielder was therefore well placed to provide an explanation of the thinking behind the boss' decision to alter his system early against Wigan, with Jordan Henderson introduced for Suso 10 minutes before half-time.
"It's happened on occasions, not too often. But as players you're prepared for that kind of thing," Allen added.
"In football it's important to understand if it's not quite working, or if there's something that needs improving, then you have to make that change. It worked out on the weekend, so it was good.
"That's important as a player when a manager is prepared to make those decisions. I think sometimes it's easy to wait and see what happens or just go along with things.
"It's definitely a help for us, if things aren't quite happening and you can put them straight as early as possible then it's obviously beneficial for everyone."
Swansea might be without Allen and Rodgers now, but the former believes the departures have not affected his former team too badly and warned that the Reds will have to be at their best.
"I think any manager brings slight changes to any team. They have a footballing philosophy which probably won't change no matter who manages that club - which is a great thing," Allen concluded.
"As you can see this season, especially in recent times, they've had some great results. So for us it's a tough game to go down to the Liberty - they've got a great home record. We'll have to be at the top of our game to come away with the points."