Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen has admitted that his side's next two fixtures will have an impact on their position in the Premier League table.

The Reds are currently sitting in top spot, and ahead of matches away at Manchester City and Chelsea, Allen has insisted that the Merseysiders will travel with the intention of making a statement against their rivals.

The 23-year-old told the Liverpool Echo: "Naturally we will play it down a little bit, but I think that the next two games are going to be big ones and we will see where we are after we have played them.

"It is a massive challenge but one to look forward to. The run of form that we are on and the way we are playing, we are certainly looking to go there and get a result.

"Manchester City have an incredible record at home, as do Chelsea to be fair, but records are there to be broken and we have to be ambitious that we can be the team that goes there and does that."

Allen has made eight league appearances for the Merseyside outfit this season.