Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers: 'We've missed Joe Allen's energy and quality'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that midfielder Joe Allen has been a big miss for the team during his time on the sidelines with injury.

The Wales international underwent knee surgery after he picked up the injury during his nation's 2-1 victory over Andorra on September 9.

"He's a player that never gets mentioned, or very rarely," Rodgers said in this afternoon's press conference. "He's a player that very rarely turns over the ball, he always loves the football and he gets other people playing.

"The key feature for Joe on top of that is his intensity and pressure – he presses the game really well. He is a very intelligent footballer.

"Tactically, he's outstanding in the game, and we've really missed his energy and quality since he's been out injured."

Rodgers confirmed that Allen is likely to return to the fold after the international break next week.