Joe Allen: 'I found out Liverpool wanted to sell me from friend's text message'

Joe Allen of Liverpool in action during the UEFA Europa League group B match between Liverpool FC and FC Sion at Anfield on October 1, 2015
© Getty Images
New Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen criticises Liverpool after learning from a friend's text that the club wanted to sell him.

Joe Allen has criticised Liverpool for their handling of his departure from Anfield.

The Wales international, who helped his nation reach the semi-finals of the European Championships earlier this summer, joined Stoke City last month in a reported £13m deal.

The midfielder had to settle for a role as a substitute for the majority of last season, but his performances coming off the bench received plenty of plaudits.

Now, Allen, who signed for the Reds from Swansea City for £15m in 2012, has revealed that he discovered his fate while on holiday in Ibiza.

"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," The Telegraph quotes Allen as saying. "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."

Allen made just eight Premier League starts for Liverpool last season.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City22006246
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd22005146
3Hull City22004136
4Chelsea22004226
5Everton21103214
6Middlesbrough21103214
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs21102114
8Burnley21012113
9West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom21012203
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham21012203
11Liverpool210145-13
12Swansea CitySwansea210112-13
13Arsenal201134-11
14Watford201123-11
15Leicester CityLeicester201112-11
16Southampton201113-21
17Stoke CityStoke201125-31
18Sunderland200224-20
19Crystal Palace200202-20
20Bournemouth200214-30