Brendan Rodgers' tactical risks paying off, says Joe Allen

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen has paid tribute to manager Brendan Rodgers for turning round the club's fortunes after a "shocking" start to the season.

The Reds have been the form team in the Premier League in 2015 and now have the top-four places firmly in their sights ahead of their Monday Night Football trip to Swansea.

They have won nine of their last 11 top-flight matches and Allen says much of the credit must go to former Swans boss Rodgers, who changed tactics mid-season to great effect.

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“The manager took quite a big risk in changing the system so drastically,” said Allen. “We needed something new and some sort of change and that has been one of the biggest things.

“We knew there would be a tough spell at some point. Losing a player like (Luis) Suarez and having someone like (Daniel) Sturridge out injured for so long was going to have an effect. How long it lasted was probably what shocked everyone and us.”

After narrowly missing out on the Premier League title last season, the Reds made a stuttering start to the 2014-15 campaign without both Suarez, who was sold to Barcelona, and Sturridge, who was struggling with injuries.

But they now sit just outside the Champions League places and Allen is predicting a bright future for the club.

If we can keep this group of players together, keep working hard then it will be an exciting future.

“A lot of people have forgotten how young we are and the beauty of our squad is we have hit form now and a lot of the players are getting better and developing,” he said.

“If we can keep this group of players together, keep working hard then it will be an exciting future. We have good characters, people that want to work hard and get better and players that have ambitions. It is a good blend to have.”

Allen also picked out Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson for praise, saying: “Coutinho is one who has stood in the last couple of months, kicked on and taken things to a new level. He has scored some great goals but his all-round play has been brilliant.

“Henderson is another who, with Stevie (Gerrard) missing, has had the captain’s armband and has really done well in that situation, and also played well. They are two standout players but you look throughout and everyone is playing well at the moment."

The extended interview with Joe Allen is available on the iPad app and Sky Go.