Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has lavished praise on midfielder Joe Allen following his display in Sunday's 3-0 win over Manchester United.
The 24-year old Welshman starred in just his ninth Premier League start of the season when helping the Reds to a massive victory over their arch rivals and his performance was certainly not lost on his boss.
Rodgers worked closely with Allen at Swansea City before bringing the Wales international to Anfield after he left the Liberty Stadium in the summer of 2012 and feels he will become a top-liner on the red side of the River Mersey.
"Joe was outstanding at Old Trafford," Rodgers 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."
