Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann says Joe Allen will only get better for the club.
The Welshman featured regularly for the Anfield club at the start of the campaign, but was hampered by a shoulder injury and his last appearance of the season came against Southampton on March 16.
Brendan Rodgers paid 15 million pounds to former club Swansea City to secure his services as he considered Allen integral to the style of play he wanted to adopt at the club.
“It’s a big step up when you go from Swansea to Liverpool but he had a fantastic start,” Hamann said.
“He was absolutely outstanding for the first few months then he missed a couple of games, Lucas (Leiva) has come back in the team who missed the early parts of the season through injury and then he (Allen) found it hard to get back into the team.
“But I think for the first year he’s done ever so well and you’ve got to give him time, he’s only young.
“He showed his potential, if anything he’ll only get better and I think there’s a lot to look forward to.”
The 23-year-old has 13 international caps for Wales, and is regularly used in a defensive midfield position for club and country.
But former Germany international Hamann believes he can adapt his game to fulfil other roles as he progresses his career.
“If he adds skills to his game then I think he can play in various positions in the centre of midfield because he’s a clever player, he’s a very good passer of the ball, he spots danger and he’s a team player,” he added.
“Now he needs to crack on and take his game to the next level, not only for Liverpool but also for Wales.
“He’s at a top club now, he will have gained a lot of experience from that and I hope he can put that to good use for his club and country.
“I think you will see a lot more from him in the future because he is a terrific player.”
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