The 24-year-old says he is inspired by links to the Barcelona midfielder and believes his performances were starting to improve last season

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen insists he is not weighed down by being compared to Xavi.

The 24-year-old was labelled as “the Welsh Xavi” by Brendan Rodgers during the ‘Being: Liverpool’ documentary in 2012.

Allen made 24 Premier League appearances last season, only 15 of which were starts, but the midfielder believes he is beginning to improve his performances and says he is flattered with comparisons to the Barcelona midfielder.

“For some people the Xavi comparison could probably be an albatross,” Allen told reporters.

“It is some player to be compared to. I don’t take things like that too seriously.

“Some people have maybe used that in a negative way, but, from my point of view, you have to look at it as something that should flatter you.

“It should inspire you to become as good as someone like that.

“I certainly felt the performance levels were getting back up to what I expect from myself and a level I can perform at.”

The 26-year-old picked up a knee injury in training and is expected to be out from four to six weeks, potentially ruling him out of the Reds’ first three league games

Adam Lallana will not be rushed back from a knee injury ahead of schedule, according to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

Liverpool were dealt a major blow when it was confirmed Lallana – a €31 million signing from Southampton – sustained lateral collateral ligament damage during a training session in the United States.

The 26-year-old is expected to miss up to six weeks, putting him in doubt for Liverpool’s first three games of the Premier League season against his former club, champions Manchester City and Tottenham.

And speaking ahead of Sunday’s International Champions Cup fixture against Olympiacos in Chicago, Rodgers told reporters the England international would be given time to recover.

“Of course it was very disappointing – it’s probably going to be four to six weeks,” Rodgers said at a media conference from Soldier Field in Chicago.

“He has looked fantastic in training; it was just a very simple exercise with no pressure. The medical team are looking closely at that at the moment.

“We’re hopeful that he’ll come back fairly quickly but there’s no rush. He’s a fantastic player, we just need to get him back fit and well because it’s a long season.

Lazar Markovic, Emre Can and Rickie Lambert have also arrived at Anfield this summer while Loic Remy and Dejan Lovren are expected to follow shortly, but Rodgers refused to shed any light on impending arrivals.

“There has been an awful lot of work that has gone on into finding players that are suitable and are going to come in and help the club progress,” he added.

“But like I’ve always said, I’ll never comment on players until they’re signed and sealed – I can talk all day about them then.”

The new €32 million signing is now expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks after damaging ligaments in training, ruling him out of a return to former side Southampton

New Liverpool signing Adam Lallana will miss the start of the new Premier League season after suffering a knee injury in training.

The midfielder moved to Anfield for a €32 million fee after representing England at the World Cup but damaged his lateral collateral ligament on Friday.

Lallana is now expected to be sidelined for “up to six weeks”, likely ruling him out of Liverpool’s first game of the season against former side Southampton.

“Lallana has been assessed by Liverpool’s medical staff and does not require surgery,” a club statement read.”

“No specific timeframe has been placed on a return to fitness, but injuries of this nature can result in a spell of anywhere up to six weeks on the sidelines.

“The England international will undergo further assessment by the club’s medical team in the United States and on return to Liverpool.”