Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that Joe Allen will be allowed to show his "flexibility" in Liverpool's final third when Lucas Leiva returns from injury.

The Brazilian holding midfielder has been absent for Liverpool through injury. which has forced extra responsibility on Allen's defensive duties. With Lucas due to return in the next few weeks, Rodgers believes that it will be the Welsh midfielder's chance to flourish.

Rodgers said: "I am not sure whether you will see an improvement because I think he has been at a real high level. But you will see his flexibility in how he can play further up the field.

"He is really dynamic in that middle-to-final third and sometimes you see those little bursts when he breaks through and is exciting.

"Lucas is a player who is progressing really well. He is working very hard off the field to arrive back as quickly as he can. We had good news on his scan the other day and hopefully in the next few weeks he will be back and that will make us stronger."

Allen has made 13 appearances for Liverpool since his move from Swansea City in the summer.