Liverpool's Underperforming £15m Midfielder Vows to Shine in Advanced Role

Joe Allen believes that Liverpool supporters will see the best of him if he is handed the chance to play in a more advanced role where he can demonstrate his creativity.

The 23 year old was signed from Swansea for £15m in the summer of 2012 after impressing at the Welsh club working under Brendan Rodgers. However, his first full season produced mixed performances as he was unable to fully demonstrate his undeniable talent.

Liverpool have a number of options in the centre of midfield with Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva forming a formidable partnership, while Philippe Coutinho and Victor Moses have both impressed in a more advanced role just behind the strikers.

With Jordan Henderson also pushing for a regular berth in midfield, Allen has plenty of competition but is hoping that he can gain a chance to play slightly further forward after excelling in a similar role during pre-season.

"I can get involved more in the creative side, in assisting goals. That's a big thing," Allen told the official Liverpool website. "If I have the chance to play further forward, like I did in pre-season, goals are obviously another big one that I'd like to add a bit more to my game.

"It's something I felt was coming at Swansea, and last season sort of stopped a little bit. That's something I think I can offer looking forward.

"I pride myself on that fact that I can play a couple of different roles, but that's a role I have played more naturally and played the most throughout my career."

"Pre-season went pretty well after a long lay-off with the shoulder operation. I'm looking to take off where pre-season started."

The Wales international struggled to win over supporters last season but feels that after receiving advice from a number of fellow professionals he will be able to make a major statement this season.

"I've been pretty open - last year didn't quite go as well as I would have hoped. There were certain games and moments where I did well; the key is to get that consistently," he added.

"A lot of people have spoken to me, fellow players have said about moving to a different club for the first time. It is the first time I have experienced that.

"That's out of the way now, so hopefully I'm a year on and a year more experienced because of that."