Whilst Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp seemed pained to let his Welsh playmaker leave the side, it seems the upper heirachy of the club couldn’t wait to be rid of Joe Allen ahead of his move to Stoke.
The Euro 2016 semi-finalist only became aware that he was being sold by Liverpool when he stumbled upon the news while reading a text message. Allen found out he was in the process of being sold to Mark Hughes’ Stoke side when a close friend contacted him to offer their congratulations on securing a £13million move to the Potters.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Allen said:
I actually had a text message off a friend congratulating me about making the move when I didn’t even know it was happening at the time.
Not knowing whether the club intend to sell you or keep you, especially when you’re trying to ask the question, is disappointing.
If I’m honest, to find out they accepted an offer through the press isn’t the best way of going about business, I don’t think.
The communication wasn’t great but as soon as Liverpool accepted an offer I knew what their intentions were for me.
It was a bit strange but that’s how things happen sometimes.
There was no real goodbye, but I’m not the most sentimental person anyway. It’s irrelevant now because sitting here I’ve got the move I wanted.
A robotic approach to the moving of its cattle, sounds a lot like modern football to us.