The Liverpool boss believes the midfielder proved his “outstanding” ability in the 3-0 demolition of Manchester United last weekend and has backed him to continue his fine form

Brendan Rodgers is delighted with the performances of “courageous” Joe Allen in the heart of the Liverpool midfield.

Allen followed Rodgers to Merseyside from Swansea City two years ago and, after making 21 Premier League starts in his debut season at Anfield, has featured less prominently in 2013-14, making the starting XI in the league on just nine occasions.

The latest of those came in Sunday’s 3-0 demolition of fierce rivals Manchester United, and Rodgers feels Allen’s display at Old Trafford showed his “outstanding” talent.

“Joe was outstanding at Old Trafford,” he said. “I believe that he is one of the top Premier League talents.

“He’s such a courageous player. He came in here and started his first season remarkably well; in the first three months, I think he was the supporters’ player of the month.

“He then had a difficult period, came back and did very well in training and then got injured. His first season was a bit up and down, just purely because of injury.

“At Old Trafford, he covered more ground than anyone. The way he presses the ball and looks after the ball; in this country, sometimes it can be frowned upon.

“People look for midfield players that are either scoring goals and wanting goals or smashing into challenges.

“Joe is a really intelligent footballer; he understands the ball, he protects the ball really well for the team, and his work-rate and intensity is incredible.

“He’s going to prove to be an outstanding player here. At the moment, he’s nearly at the top of his game and performing very well. I’m hopeful that will continue.”

The out-of-favour Bayern Munich wideman is considering moving on from the European champions in search of regular first team football, putting Premier League clubs on alert

Bayern Munich wideman Xherdan Shaqiri would be open to a move to Liverpool or Manchester United should they make an offer, his agent has revealed.

The Switzerland international has found regular first team football hard to come by since joining the European champions in 2012 and is keen to seek out opportunities elsewhere.

His brother and representative, Erdin, told Swiss newspaper Blick: “Xherdan is 22. At that age he has to play regularly, which is not the case at the moment.

“We will wait til the summer. If then clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United or Inter will ask, we will surely listen.”

Liverpool have actively been on the prowl for another wide attacker, failing with January moves for Yehven Konoplyanka and Mohammed Salah, while David Moyes has not been shy about his desire to mould the United squad to his own taste.

Shaqiri faces tough competition from the likes of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller to break into Pep Guardiola’s starting XI and has previously talked of the temptation of moving on, as Goal exclusively revealed last Sunday.

The defender has returned to the first team following a hamstring injury and is determined to make an impression on the squad before the end of the season

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho is determined to break back into the Anfield first team in order to seal a place in the France team for the World Cup.

The centre-back has been out of action since the turn of the year due to a hamstring injury, but returned to Liverpool’s bench in Sunday’s 3-0 win at Old Trafford.

The experienced pair of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel have played in each of the Anfield club’s last four games, while Brendan Rodgers also has Kolo Toure to call upon.

But Sakho, who had featured in 12 of Liverpool’s 16 league games before his injury, remains confident he will seize the opportunity to shine.

“I feel good now and I was delighted to be on the bench for the United game,” Sakho told The Liverpool Echo.

“Two and a half months is a long time to be out and it was tough. It took much longer than we thought but I had to listen to my body.

“Initially we thought it was the muscle in my hamstring but it turned out to be the tendon which was causing the problem and that took more time to heal. I worked really closely with the medical staff to get back.

“It will be difficult to get back in the team because everyone is playing well, but at a big club like Liverpool you expect competition for places.

“Things are never easy in football. I am working hard and I am ready for when the manager needs me.

“There are still nine games to play and a lot to play for. I also need to win my place in the France squad for the World Cup.”