Shawcross hopes surprise recruit Allen can haunt Liverpool

Britain Football Soccer - Stoke City v Leicester City - Premier League - bet365 Stadium - 17/12/16 Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross (L) and Joe Allen look dejected after the game Reuters / Anthony Devlin Livepic

(Reuters) - Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross was surprised Liverpool let Joe Allen leave after the Welsh midfielder shone at the Euro 2016 tournament and prepares to return to Anfield for the first time when the Potters face the Merseyside club on Tuesday.

Allen was one of the most impressive performers in France as Wales reached the semi-finals but was sold to Stoke shortly after, having failed to nail down a spot in Liverpool's starting line-up under manager Juergen Klopp.