Shawcross hopes surprise recruit Allen can haunt Liverpool

REUTERS - Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross was surprised Liverpool let Joe Allen leave after the Welsh midfielder shone at the Euro 2016 tournament and prepares to return to Anfield for the first time when the Potters face the Merseyside club on Tuesday.

Allen was one of the most impressive performers in France as Wales reached the semi-finals but was sold to Stoke shortly after, having failed to nail down a spot in Liverpool's starting line-up under manager Juergen Klopp.

"He probably never knew he was going to join Stoke. I thought Liverpool would have kept him and when I heard we were going to get him, I was surprised," Shawcross told British media of the 13 million pound ($16.07 million) signing.

"For the amount of money as well, it's a great signing for the club. He's an even better player than I thought. I've always rated him but I didn't realise he was so good. He's been our best player this season, our catalyst."

Shawcross hoped Allen, who has scored five goals in 16 Premier League games, will be fired up to help Stoke inflict some damage on second-placed Liverpool's title aspirations.

"He's our main player. Hopefully he can put a good performance in, as the team can. I'm sure he'll be desperate to prove the manager wrong," he added.

Stoke are 11th in the table on 21 points, 16 behind Liverpool after 17 games.

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(Reporting by Shravanth Vijayakumar in Bengaluru)