Swansea City vs Liverpool preview - Monk pleased to see Allen blossom

Posted Sunday, March 15, 2015 by PA

Wales international Joe Allen returns to his former club Swansea on Monday night with Garry Monk believing his old team-mate has matured into the "fantastic player" Liverpool fans expected following his 2012 transfer.

Allen has had to be patient to win over the Liverpool faithful since making a B£15million move to Merseyside and being branded the "Welsh Xavi" by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, who made the same journey from south Wales.

But the 25-year-old has thrived in skipper Steven Gerrard's absence in the last few weeks, being one of Liverpool's stand-out players as Rodgers' side have recorded three successive Barclays Premier League victories to close the gap on fourth-placed Manchester United and boost their Champions League qualification chances.

Gerrard is back in contention for the trip to the Liberty Stadium after missing the last seven games in league and cup with a hamstring injury but Swansea manager Monk says he is delighted to see Allen develop into the sort of player he believed he would be.

"He is starting to be recognised and he deserves it," Monk said.

"It is tough going from Swansea to Liverpool, it is not an easy transition. He can be defensive and offensive, he is a two-way player.

"Maybe he struggled to do that early on there but it has clicked and he has been fantastic and bossed games for them recently.

"I have seen his progression here through to the first team. He always looked like he would be a top player and he is proving it.

"He is maturing, he is a man not a boy, has filled out and he is coming into his peak.

"He has been at Liverpool for a while and he understands the expectation and is taking that on to the field.

"You come to a point in your career where you grow up and mature, your knowledge of the game and being at a big club clicks into place and in this run he has been key for them."

Bafetimbi Gomis should be available for the game after collapsing during the 3-2 defeat at Tottenham on March 4.

Gomis suffers from a vasovagal condition which causes low blood pressure and prompts fainting episodes, but he returned to training on Wednesday after seeing a specialist in his native France and is expected to be given the all-clear to play at the Liberty Stadium.

Monk has a full-strength squad to select from other than central defender Kyle Bartley, who remains unavailable following knee surgery.

Meanwhile, Rodgers insists he is "relaxed" about Raheem Sterling's contract situation despite claims that the latest discussions have failed to find a solution to a long-running impasse.

The club have tabled what a couple of weeks ago Rodgers described as an "incredible" offer - reported to be in the region of B#100,000 a week.

A few weeks before that the Reds boss had suggested an agreement was imminent but latest reports suggest there has been no movement in negotiations.

Sterling only signed an improved contract in December 2012 and his current deal does not expire until 2017, which is why Rodgers is content to play a waiting game.

"There is nothing new to report on it. I am quite relaxed about Raheem's situation," said Rodgers.

"He is not going anywhere in a hurry - he has still got this season and another couple of years to go on his contract.

"I think it is quite obvious when you look at Raheem's situation anyone with Raheem's best interests would see Liverpool as the best option for his career.

"He turned 20 in December and he has made 114 appearances, which is a remarkable amount at a club of this size to be given that opportunity.

"He has made it clear himself that he loves being here and I think he was quoted as saying this is the best place for any young player to develop, so that makes me quite relaxed.

"I am sure the club and his representatives will find the solution for that."

The Reds' squad has been boosted by the return of Steven Gerrard from a hamstring problem which has sidelined him for seven matches while Martin Skrtel, after his head injury last weekend against Blackburn in the FA Cup, and midfielder Allen are both fit.

Defender Jon Flanagan has also returned to training after a long-term knee problem.