Joe Allen has admitted that he struggled to come to terms with the expectation on his shoulders following his move to Liverpool from Swansea City.

The Wales international moved to Anfield for a £15m fee back in 2012, but failed to make a significant impact in his first two seasons.

However, the midfielder has impressed when called upon in this campaign, and is expected to play in Saturday's clash against Arsenal at the Emirates.

"I will be open and honest," Allen told the Daily Mail. "In my first season there were moments when I look back and am disappointed about how I did cope with that [mental] aspect of things.

"Maybe I underestimated it a little bit before I came. I tried to anticipate it but you can't do it until you get here. Now I have come through that and the only issue this season has been injuries."

The Reds are currently fifth in the Premier League table.