Joe Allen completed his £13 million move to Stoke City on Monday, prompting considerable reaction from Liverpool supporters.
The 26-year-old leaves Merseyside after four seasons, having arrived during the reign of Brendan Rodgers in 2012.
The midfielder joins the Potters in search of regular first-team football, despite Jurgen Klopp‘s moves to keep him at Anfield as part of his squad for 2016/17.
A player who has risen to cult status among Liverpool supporters, Allen’s departure comes as a wrench to many—though his decision to leave is roundly acknowledged as a sensible one.
Here we round up the best from social media and our forums, as Liverpool say goodbye to the Welsh Xavi.
Most paid a fond farewell to the Wales international…
Wishing Joe Allen all the best at Stoke City good luck lad
— Jeff Goulding (@ShanklysBoys1) July 25, 2016
Really hope he does well. Bye Joe! https://t.co/cuXVxlM4J1
— Jason Roberts (@JaseRoberts_) July 25, 2016
It's a sad day. #JoeAllen
— Sam Drury (@SamDrury11) July 25, 2016
I don't really mind Joe Allen leaving tbh #LFC pic.twitter.com/6OOj5rGyG3
— Ricky (@RickyMann4) July 25, 2016
Good luck to Allen. Think it is right he's gone given he wouldn't sign a new deal & wanted regular football. But I hope he does well!
— LFC4LIFENET (@LFC4LIFENET) July 25, 2016
Farewell, sweet prince ? #LFC pic.twitter.com/WAIbSjWLhE
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) July 25, 2016
Wishing the "Welsh Xavi" all of the best @stokecity His best years are yet to come #JoeAllen #YNWA
— Keyser Titus (@keysertitus27) July 25, 2016
Good luck to Joe Allen at Stoke! Technically a very good player just slim chances of regular football! All the best Welsh Xavi!! #LFC
— Tom Smith (@TomskiSmith93) July 25, 2016
“All the best, Joe. Keep feeding them chickens, grow that beard, and play ball. Don’t ever change.
– norwegian wood on the forums.
https://twitter.com/AcademyLFC/status/757652929398632452
Retire the #24 shirt immediately.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) July 25, 2016
However some took a harsher view of his four years on Merseyside…
https://twitter.com/FutbolCoutinho/status/757656600194736128
https://twitter.com/LKxrius/status/757656902402793472
“The reality is that he needed to move on. We cant keep doing the same thing with the same players and expect us to jump up several notches, some players need to go to facilitate change.”
– liver1 on the forums.
https://twitter.com/Sennesation/status/757660217706438657
Not sad at selling Joe Allen. Average for most of the time he was with us and we've bought better players. £13m is great business.
— Gurminder (@gurminder) July 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/jxsldn/status/757656801202540545
However, largely, Stoke’s decision to sign him was heralded…
#SCFC have got themselves a good player in #Allen
— Moley (@Moley_LFC) July 25, 2016
If Joe Allen was 6'2" he'd be our captain; alas, he's not. He'll be great for Stoke next to Imbula though, building up quite a gifted squad
— Kieran Morris (@kf_morris) July 25, 2016
Allen would've been a good squad player, but with 1 year left I'm sure he wanted regular football anyway. Fair deal all round.
— Red (@TaintlessRed) July 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/MubzLFC/status/757659143033479168
I hope Joe Allen bosses it at Stoke
— RougeMen:EF ?? (@RougeMEF) July 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/em_sandy/status/757657185002352640
I think Joe Allen is a fantastic buy for Stoke. He had a terrific Euro's for Wales. Could be phenomenal for Stoke. #WelshPirlo
— Nick Davison (@nick_davison10) July 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/jacklusby_/status/757656687943843841
Pity Joe Allen was allowed to leave #LFC. If he’s as adventurous for #SCFC as he was for #WAL he could be some “new” player.
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) July 25, 2016
“Wish him the best. He never let us down, but at the same time he was never truly outstanding. A nice guy to have around but the competition for places is going to fierce and him moving on is probably best for all parties.”
– Zinedine Biscan on the forums.
Shame Joe Allen never really got going at Liverpool.. Thought he was outstanding at the Euros.. Stoke got themselves a very good player. ??
— John Hartson (@JohnHartson10) July 25, 2016
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