Joe Allen: Weight of expectation at Liverpool dented confidence but now I'm at my peak

The Wales international earned himself a £15million move to Anfield after impressing under Brendan Rodgers during Swansea’s first Premier League campaign.

The 25-year-old made a bright start to his career on Merseyside but his form faded and he has suffered his share of injury problems.

It left Allen questioning whether he could meet his and the club’s high expectations, but his superb recent form has won him plenty of plaudits and looks set to secure him a new contract.

Which means the playmaker heads into Wales’ Euro 2016 qualifier against Israel tomorrow full of confidence.

He said: “I am taking more responsibility now. I look back at my first season at Liverpool and I was disappointed with how I approached it at times.

“My dip in form affected my confidence, it was the first time I had experienced it so it was a bit of a setback. But I came through it and I am really looking forward to the future.

“I don’t consider myself a young player any more. I have got enough experience both at club and international level to feel a big part of the squad.”

Allen will hope that future includes an appearance at the Euro 2016 finals in France.

If that is to be the case a win in Haifa, in what manager Chris Coleman has dubbed Wales’ biggest game since the Euro 2004 play-off defeat by Russia, will go a long way to ensuring a positive outcome.

Allen said: “I was at the Russia game, I was 13 years old and my school used to go to the Millennium Stadium for the home games.

“I remember the disappointment of coming so close, as do a lot of the lads in this squad. It is an extra motivation for us. We feel we are getting back to that level.

“That result was upsetting. That team didn’t quite make it but we are doing everything we can to go that step further.”