Allen backs Rodgers to succeed

18 agosto 2012 14:52

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen insists manager Brendan Rodgers will give his all in order to help the Anfield club succeed this season.

The 22-year-old followed the Northern Irishman into Anfield from Swansea earlier this year, completing a 15 million pound-move after representing Team GB at the Olympic Games.

And Allen has backed his 39-year-old boss to turn the Reds around, saying his motivational skills will give the players confidence.

"He is a manager who instils faith and confidence in you," Allen told the Daily Mail.

"It really makes a difference and helps when you go out on to the pitch. I'm sure the other players here will find that out soon.

"I think they are all looking forward to it as much as me. The manager he is passionate about football. His heart will be in this job 24/7.

"Individually and collectively, he will give every player what they need to go out on that pitch and perform."

The Wales international was also keen to play down comparisons with Barcelona duo Xavi and Andres Iniesta - whose pass completion rates he bettered during Swansea's maiden English Premier League campaign.

"You can read stats how you like," Allen said.

"It's great personally to hear those things - to be associated with those players is a dream. Xavi and Iniesta are two players I admire massively. They really inspired me to play a similar sort of football.

"If you think I'm small now you should have seen me when I made my debut (as a 16-year-old against Blackpool), you would be surprised.

"I was even slimmer and smaller then. When I was younger coming through it was a big issue for some people.

"I was always confident there were other aspects of my game that were better off because of my size. But there were a few doubters.

"I've been lucky every manager I've played under at Swansea has been someone who has played the style of football that suits me down to the ground."