Gotcha! Liverpool boss Rodgers delighted after wrapping up £15m move for Allen

 Brendan Rodgers has paid Joe Allen the ultimate compliment by declaring he would have paid 'many more millions' to sign him.

The Wales international became Rodgers’ second acquisition of the summer on Friday when he agreed a long-term contract at Anfield that will treble his wages after Swansea sanctioned his £15million sale.
He is the one player Rodgers wanted to land more than any other before the start of the season and the Liverpool manager revealed the esteem in which he holds Allen, who has taken the number 24 shirt, when comparing his technique and ability to be akin to that of a Spaniard.

Gotcha! Brendan Rodgers with his new signing Joe Allen at Melwood training ground on Friday

Allen, who is match fit after playing for Team GB at the Olympic Games, could be handed an immediate Liverpool debut this weekend, when Rodgers’ side concluded their preparations for the new Barclays Premier League campaign against German team Bayer Leverkusen. 

And Rodgers, who will now look to make further additions to his squad now to accompany Allen and £11million Italian striker Fabio Borini, believes the money Liverpool have paid for the young man from Carmarthenshire will prove to be astute business.
'When you see this boy play you'd think he was a Spanish player, a real European player. I would have paid many more millions for this kid,’ enthused Rodgers, whose side have been handed a Europa League assignment against Hearts later this month.
‘Joe is a unique player in that he's a British player who doesn't give the ball away. When he comes into this team, you will see the difference he can make.

Done deal: Joe Allen watched Liverpool's Europa League tie on Thursday night

‘He's incredible on the ball; his intelligence for a 22-year-old is frightening. His game understanding is very, very good and he's in love with the football. He loves the ball.
‘He wants the ball all the time – he has so much courage to get on the ball and play and I think he'll fit in really, really well with all the other clever players we already have here.’
‘I'm excited about the prospect of Allen fitting in with our front four, because I think even at this early stage, their combination has been excellent.’

The midfielder was at Anfield on Thursday night to watch the Reds' 3-0 Europa League third qualifying round second leg win over FC Gomel.

Centre of attention: Allen has completed his protracted move to Liverpool

 

Allen told his new club's official website: 'I feel incredible.

'Everyone knows the history of this club, it's a massive club, and I'm delighted to have joined.
'The passion that people here have for football is something I share and I want to be part of that.
'I'm looking forward to being part of some great years ahead for Liverpool.'
Rodgers added: 'I'm absolutely delighted Joe has made the decision to come with us on this journey.
'He is a player whose profile will fit perfectly with the ideas of this group.
'His ability to control and dominate the ball is an important ingredient in our attempt to gain success on the field.
'Joe has had a fantastic education at Swansea and will now begin the next chapter in his exciting career, and I wish him all the very best in what I'm sure will be a long and distinguished career here at Liverpool.'
Allen admitted the lure of working with Rodgers again was too much to resist.
Having worked with the Northern Irishman in South Wales, he cannot wait to get started.
'To join back up with him was definitely a big pull for me,' Allen said. 'Brendan is so passionate about his football. He works day in, day out to improve the team and everyone individually.
'Everyone wants to work alongside someone who has that way about them.
'One of his best things is his man management. He commands the respect of everyone.
'I have a lot of faith that Brendan can bring success.

Making a point: Brendan Rodgers

'I wanted to be part of this project and I've really got a good feeling this football club is going to go from strength to strength in the next couple of seasons.'
The move completes a remarkable rise for Allen, who joined the Swansea academy as a nine-year-old.
Allen was part of Swansea's surge to the Premier League from League One, winning international honours at all levels along the way.
He was one of the inspirations behind the club's return to the top flight, which earned him selection to the Great Britain Olympic squad.
Asked if he would have believed five years ago that this day would come, Allen replied: 'No, probably not.
'It was hard to believe at first and very flattering to be linked to a top club like this. It shows you're doing something right, I guess.
'I've always been ambitious and wanting to get to the top but getting there is a completely different thing. It's definitely hard to believe. It's been a quick rise for me.'
Allen becomes Rodgers' second signing following the arrival of another former Swansea player, Fabio Borini, who scored the opener last night.
And he believes that grounding in the lower league will help him in the months that lie ahead.
'If you look at the amount of games I've played for someone my age, that would probably only happen at a team that's come through the leagues,' he said. 'That experience has been vital for me.
'I blossomed and improved because of that and I wouldn't change it for the world.
'I feel proud. I am really thrilled and looking forward to my time here.'