He's been called several names by his manager: wonderful technician, Welsh Xavi etc. But it appears Joe Allen is running out of a place in Liverpool’s starting eleven, especially if the manager continues with his 3-4-3 formation.
It wasn't too long ago during the poor run of Liverpool early in the season when fans were counting on his return from injury as one of the solutions to the team's problems. Allen was seen as one to help improve the team's lacklustre midfield. A few months down the line, at the threshold of another return from injury, things couldn't have been any different. He was one of the personnel entrusted with the implementation of the 3-4-3 during its debut at Old Trafford. He sat in central midfield with Gerrard and his performance was just okay. But it is an understatement that his replacement - Lucas - has been very good in the role.
Allen remains a mystery within sections of Liverpool's fan base. I doubt debates about what he brings to Anfield have hardly had any conclusions and common grounds. "Joe's role is to keep the ball and that, in Britain, is a special talent. It is why Paul Scholes is still playing at his age. It is such a rare talent for a midfielder to rarely give the ball away." These words were spoken by Brendan Rodgers in October 2012 as a defence against criticism levelled against Allen by Allan Shearer. The former Newcastle striker turned pundit criticized Allen for being too safe with his passes and not attempting any penetrative passes.
"Where we have been really pleased with Joe is with his tactical discipline. Maybe he's never going to score as many as Steven but he's certainly got quality going forward. But his tactical discipline to stay and keep the shape of the team, and offer the passing line, has been very good. He will have a long career here, he's a wonderful talent and over time people will see what facets he's got in his game. Over time he will prove an absolute bargain." Rodgers concludes his defence. Coutinho has lauded Allen’s ability to shield the ball and keep possession.
Now it seems he is destined for long spells on the fringes of the starting XI. It seems so, for as long as the 3-4-3 remains in place. That formation has a place for only two central midfielders; one of whom is defensive minded. Lucas has functioned with distinction in that role. Jordan Henderson has been entrusted with the other position in central midfield. His energy, work rate and critically his “productivity" in the attacking third makes him well suited for the position; and he should have monopoly over that position too. That says as much about his attributes and abilities as it says about competition for that position. As the Leicester match at Anfield showed, Gerrard is not well suited for that role especially when his companion in the centre of the field is Lucas. He has fared better and influenced play higher up the pitch as one of the two players in the “hole".
The 3-4-3 also makes room for two attack minded midfielders behind a lone striker; what Rodgers calls “technicians”. So far Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling and Gerrard have all filled the slot and contributed goals and/or assists and largely contributed to the enhanced creative play of the team. Then there also two wing backs.
However if Joe Allen is to walk into the team you feel his best shot is a place in central midfield. Two reasons account for this. He is not kind of "technician" to flourish in a role just behind a striker. Rodgers calls him a “wonderful technician” but his game and stats hardly fit the profile of the type of players Rodgers wants in that role. His average take-ons, dribbling, key passes, assist and shots at goals are well beyond those already deployed in that role.
A role at wing back does not also seem likely as he is not endowed with the pace and attacking ability to excel along the flanks. It also remains to be seen whether he can replicate the defensive shift someone like Markovic has put in.
That leaves central midfield the realistic position Allen can function in Rodgers’ new system. However he is up against it given the performance of Lucas and Henderson. Defensively, Lucas trumps him on the key indicators as far as defensive midfield play is concerned. Lucas has won more tackles and aerial duels than him. Whiles the Brazilian has won 48.15% of his aerial duels so far in the league, the Welshman has won just 11% of those. Lucas makes an interception every 37 minutes against Allen’s 43 minutes. In terms of clearances, Lucas averages 3 per match whiles Allen’s average is less than one in 2 matches. The number of tackles won stat also favours the Brazilian. He has won 31 tackles in 12 league matches this season as against Allen’s 18 in 11 league matches. Lucas’s stat may not set the world alight and there are still aspects of his game he need to improve, but given his performances so far and his stats, he deserves his place ahead of the Welshman.
In the attacking role in central midfield, Allen is also in the shade of Henderson. In terms of number of forward passes, key passes, assists and chances created, Henderson is head and shoulders above Allen. For instance whiles Henderson plays about 3 key passes every two matches, Allen only manages one in the same number of matches. Henderson also has a shot accuracy of 31% against Allen’s 0.
Allen is a good footballer and has had a number of standout performances for Liverpool. It is very obvious his manager rates him highly. He showed in his first season that he could function in defensive midfield role with some success. Last season he was a crucial part of the team anytime Rodgers deployed the diamond formation. However, given the current formation and the form of Lucas and Henderson he will have to make do with spells on the sideline.