(Picture: Stoke City FC)
Joe Allen left Liverpool to join Stoke after Euro 2016. (Picture: Stoke City FC)

Joe Allen has explained his reasons for leaving Liverpool to join Stoke City in a £13million deal.

The Welshman, who excelled so much at Euro 2016 this summer that he made it into the official Team of the Tournament ahead of Paul Pogba, wasn’t prepared to sit on the bench at Anfield and pursued first team football.

Used sparingly by Jurgen Klopp last season, Allen endeared himself to the Liverpool fans for putting in some hugely impressive performances in crucial games – most notably the famous victory of Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League.

Admitting that he was excited by his prospects under Klopp, Allen believes that, at the age of 26, it was time to move on.

‘When a new manager comes in, you’re hoping you can impress and get in the team,’ Allen told Sky Sports. ‘I thought that his style would suit me, but it wasn’t quite to be.

Joe Allen walks onto the pitch during a ceremony at the Cardiff City Stadium. (Picture: Getty)
Joe Allen walks onto the pitch during a ceremony at the Cardiff City Stadium. (Picture: Getty)

‘I don’t want to be sat twiddling my thumbs on the bench and I wanted to make sure that if I could change, it I would.

‘In all fairness, the competition in midfield was tough all season so there’s not too many complaints on my part.

‘It wasn’t a difficult decision to move and I’m not looking back with any regrets.’

Allen hoped to play his way into Jurgen Klopp’s plans. (Picture: Getty)
Allen hoped to play his way into Jurgen Klopp’s plans. (Picture: Getty)

He added: ‘I’m excited about the future in my career. At 26, the best years are still in front of me and naturally I’m looking forward to them.

‘I look back and I’ve got fond memories, it was a huge privilege to play for a club like Liverpool, but the timing was right for me to move on.

‘I was hoping this opportunity [to join Stoke] would come up in the summer and thankfully it’s all worked out well. I’m looking forward to the new chapter in my career.’