Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has predicted that former Swansea midfielder Joe Allen will flourish once Lucas Leiva returns from injury.
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Rodgers signed Allen from the Welsh outfit for £15million in August and immediately put him into his starting eleven.
After a promising start to his Reds tenure, the Welshman's recent performances have dipped slightly but with Lucas Leiva almost back from injury, the Ulsterman believes that Allen will flourish in a more advanced role once the Brazilian returns to action.
Referring to Allen, Rodgers said: "I think he's stepped up. Joe has come in and the biggest credit you can give him is the supporters have really taken to him.
"Normally it takes players time to adjust to Anfield and the size of this club and the transition has been fairly smooth.
"In the last couple of games he's not been at the level he would want to be but there are all sorts of reasons: he's been playing a lot and he's just become a father so he's had many sleepless nights.
"But he will be a revelation for the club. He's been terrific and I am sure that will continue over the next number of years."
"Since he has been here he has been asked to play a more defensive role purely because of the loss of Lucas.
"It is important you have a defined player who can sit and control the zone and that was something which was even apparent against Young Boys (who scored a late equaliser to draw 2-2 in their midweek Europa League tie).
"If your balance isn't right in midfield then you can get exploited.
"Joe has done well because he knows exactly what I'm after having worked with me for a couple of years
"He gives that balance but there is no doubt he has a lot to offer on the other side, going forward, getting between the lines, driving into the box and driving into the area.
"I think being classed as a world-class player - and Joe himself will say there is a long way for him to go before he is called that - as a footballer you don't need to be a scorer of goals.
"We see a number of players perform a function in a team at the top role and if you can do that and do it consistently that defines whether you are world-class or not."
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