FEW are better qualified to assess the merits of a defensive midfielder. Didi Hamann excelled in that holding role during his trophy-laden seven-year stay at Anfield which yielded two FA Cups, two League Cups, the UEFA Cup and the Champions League.

The classy German provided Liverpool with a platform on which to build and his qualities were equally appreciated by coaching staff, team-mates and fans alike.

Six years after he parted company with the Reds, roles have been reversed. Now it’s Hamann watching on and admiring the manner in which an Anfield new boy has slotted effortlessly into a similarly deep-lying position.

Eyebrows were raised when new boss Brendan Rodgers shelled out £15million to sign Joe Allen from Swansea City this summer.

But the 22-year-old Wales international has been the Reds’ most consistent performer during a tough start to the campaign and Hamann has been hugely impressed by both his ability and mental strength.

“Joe Allen has been outstanding since he signed,” said Hamann.

“His awareness, his passing, the way he spots danger and helps out the full-backs, the wingers and the centre-backs, his work rate, his positioning - his all-round game has been fantastic.

“He has had a big influence on the matches. For a young kid to come here, go straight in and make such an impression takes a lot, especially in a team which hasn’t been winning games.

“There’s so much more pressure and expectation at Liverpool than he was used to before but he has adapted so quickly and made that step up.

“What I like about him is that he’s a real team player. He nicks balls, he wins it back and his passing is fantastic. He just plays his game and nothing fazes him.”

Allen has been ever present in the opening seven Premier League matches and the stats show he boasts a pass completion rate of 93%.

However, he came in for some criticism recently from Hamann’s former Newcastle team-mate Alan Shearer on Match of the Day. He accused the Reds midfielder of being too cautious in possession and not playing enough penetrating passes.

Hamann insists the ex-England striker failed to grasp the importance of Allen’s role in Rodgers’ side.

“Shearer wouldn’t know about passing a ball because all he did was finish,” said Hamann.

“He did a good job of putting it in the net but he never needed to pass a ball backwards or sideways.

“It’s rubbish to say Joe Allen only makes easy passes. You need players who keep the team ticking over and ensure that you keep possession,

“What he has done for the football club so far has been great. I’m not sure any other player would have had the impact he’s had.

“The way Allen has performed has softened the blow of losing Lucas. With the way they play, you need someone like Allen sitting in front of the back four. Then you have five players in front of him whose responsibility it is to try to create things.

“The fans are talking about Allen and rightly so because he’s been outstanding. Shearer’s remarks won’t make me change my mind.”

Hamann, who made the last of his 283 appearances for Liverpool in the 2006 FA Cup final against West Ham, has been frustrated by his old club’s start to the season.

The Reds are down in 14th place having taken just six points from seven matches but the 39-year-old insists patience is required as players come to terms with a new style under Rodgers.

Much of the focus has been on Liverpool’s struggles in front of goal but Hamann says the real issue has been at the other end.

“Change takes time,” he said.

“Brendan wants them to play in a certain way and it’s a different formation with some new players. Everything needs to gel. But I’ve been impressed by Brendan and in general performances have been good.

“They have controlled games, been on top, created chances but they have conceded too many goals.

“The Udinese game at Anfield last week summed up the season so far for me. They scored a good goal and were in total control, but all of a sudden they switched off and found themselves 3-1 down with a mountain to climb.

“They have to defend better. If you keep conceding, you make life tough for yourself because they don’t have the firepower to be scoring three or four every week to win games.

“It’s not all down to what’s happened since Brendan came in. Liverpool only kept two clean sheets in the last 19 games they played last season.

“The manager’s biggest challenge is to really make them enjoy defending. It looks like everyone wants the ball, but at times they don’t all want to defend.

“At Norwich they were 4-0 up and maybe thought it didn’t matter that they conceded a couple but that’s where confidence and belief comes from. If they had kept a clean sheet at Norwich I don’t think they would have lost against Udinese.”

If Rodgers can establish greater defensive steel and others chip in to ease the goal burden on Luis Suarez then Hamann expects to see Liverpool rapidly climb the Premier League table over the coming months.

“The way they’ve played there’s no reason why they can’t go on a winning run of six or seven games,” he added. “It’s still early on but they need to start picking up results.

“You have to set targets high and they should still believe that fourth place is possible.

“Of course it’s a big ask. You’ve got the Manchester clubs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle and Everton. But if they can keep key players fit and then strengthen the squad with two or three signings in January, they can really push on. I certainly haven’t written this season off.”

Didi Hamann was speaking at the Anfield Experience organised by Liverpool FC’s official tools and security partner, Stanley Black & Decker.