Joe Allen unsure of his Liverpool future

Daniel Storey

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen is unsure whether he has a future at Anfield.

Allen started just 19 Liverpool matches last season, eight of which were in the Premier League.

The Wales midfielder is currently preparing for Euro 2016, but admits that he will need to discuss his future after the tournament.

Allen said that he was “tested” at times last season, but was told in January that he was not for sale. Unfortunately, his playing time did not improve significantly from there on in.

With Liverpool linked with a number of midfielders already this summer, Allen would be forgiven for being a touch nervous.

“As soon as the season finished with Liverpool I said to myself, ‘I don’t want to have any distractions and I am fully focussed and engaged on all things Wales’. That’s where I am at the moment,” Allen said.

“If the club want to speak to me then I am not going to pie them. We have had an intense season and I’m sure there will be a week or two after the Euros before any discussions are had.

“As a footballer you want to play every minute of every game. When you don’t it can be disappointing, that’s natural for anyone. It’s how you react. You have to make sure you don’t let it affect you to a point that when you do get your chances you’re not up to it.

“I think at times I was tested through the year, especially early on, but maybe I’ve had the rewards for having that mentality, especially in the last few months of the season. In January there was a conversation with the club in terms of what the future did hold for me, if I would feature more or if I would feature in the plans moving forward.

“They made it clear at that stage I wouldn’t be moving anywhere. I knew where I stood and it was good to have that conversation and know that I had the second half of the season to look forward to with Liverpool.

“I think it hinges on the pre-season plans and what exactly the club are hoping to do, their acquisitions and who they are going to get in.

“Until all that happens then it is difficult to answer that question [of whether I stay]. Yes, of course I want to play. I think the club understand that too.”