• Premier League

Allen reflects on 'bittersweet' draw

August 26, 2012
Joe Allen impressed against Manchester City © PA Photos
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Joe Allen reflected on a "brilliant" game after his Liverpool side drew 2-2 with Premier League champions Manchester City.

Wales midfielder Allen, making his Anfield debut, impressed as Brendan Rodgers' side twice took the lead against City. Crucially, though, they twice lost it, with Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez responding to goals from Martin Skrtel and Luis Suarez.

"It was pretty frantic. It was a brilliant game for the neutral and it was great to go ahead twice, so we're disappointed not to win the game," he told Sky Sports 1. "Bittersweet probably sums it up perfectly."

The draw came eight days after the Reds' opening-day humbling at West Brom. Anticipation was naturally high at that point, with Rodgers in the dugout for the first time, but Liverpool were crushed 3-0.

"We knew we would bounce back," Allen added. "We put that behind us and we will look to kick on from here."

There was a clash of styles on show, with City's three-at-the-back powerhouse approach going up against a new, slick-looking Liverpool.

"Playing three at the back is not something many teams do," Allen said. "We had to make changes to deal with it and for the first 15 minutes we struggled to get to grips with them. We play three in the middle and we didn't chance too much. Personally for me it was fantastic to make my debut and it was a great occasion and atmosphere."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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