With Joe Allen linked with a move to rejoin Swansea City this summer, Jurgen Klopp has reaffirmed his stance on the midfielder’s Liverpool future.
Allen was subject of a failed loan bid from the south Wales side in January, with Klopp rejecting the possibility offhand, with the 26-year-old deemed a crucial part of his first-team squad.
But with Allen continuing to play a peripheral role under the German this season, Swansea were once again reported to be preparing a bid to sign their academy product.
Reports suggested that Liverpool would demand “upwards of £10 million” for a player with just one year left on his contract.
This may prove a hardline stance by the club, with Klopp telling reporters after Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to the Swans on Sunday afternoon that “everything is fine” regarding Allen’s future.
“We will talk about Joe Allen’s future, 100 percent, but not at a press conference in Swansea,” he said.
“But I spoke to him yesterday, and everything is fine.
“He’s in good shape, very important player for us and everything is fine.”
Allen was left out Klopp’s squad for the trip to the Liberty Stadium, with the Wales international likely to start Thursday night’s Europa League semi-final second leg at home to Villarreal.
With Jordan Henderson and Emre Can out injured, Allen’s value to Liverpool has been underlined.
His technical ability and tactical intelligence have allowed him to settle in quickly within Klopp’s midfield.
Though 19-year-old Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic will arrive this summer, and Henderson, Can and James Milner are set to continue their key roles in Klopp’s squad next season, the German would be wise to hold on to a player like Allen.
As Sunday’s defeat proved, with youngsters Pedro Chirivella and Kevin Stewart forming a flimsy midfield pair, Klopp requires a plethora squad options.
Able to operate in this role, and shine at the top level, Allen’s future should be addressed before long, as he is a valuable player for Klopp.
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