Stoke City Boss Mark Hughes Admits He Was Surprised When Liverpool Let Joe Allen Leave

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Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has admitted that he was surprised that Liverpool let Joe Allen leave in the summer, indicating that he wasn’t aware of just how talented he is, 90min reports.

The Welsh international joined the Potters in the summer transfer window for £13m with Hughes looking to bolster his creative talent in the side for the new season, and after seeing him on the training ground and in matches, the City manager has questioned Reds boss Jurgen Klopp’s judgement in letting the 26-year-old leave.

“He’s one of those players you kind of admire from afar,” said Hughes, according to the Daily Star.

“Then Liverpool had a change of manager and Jurgen Klopp came in.

“Maybe they didn’t quite know what they had got in the building. It might be that they didn’t realise what they had. I was surprised when they let him go.

“Was it a gamble? No. I’d heard about him and what he was like as a person and character.

“I knew he would fit in here. He’s one of our main players which he probably wasn’t at Liverpool. He’s very happy in his surroundings.”

The former Merseyside midfielder has started the new season at his new club in fine form, scoring four goals in eight appearances, including a brace in their last game against Sunderland, picking up their first three points of the season with a 2-0 victory.