You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Joe Allen is hoping he's done enough to force his way back into Liverpool's Premier League line up.

The Wales international continued his recent resurgence with another accomplished display as a second string Reds side drew 0-0 with West Ham in the FA Cup at Anfield.

Allen, who was handed the captain's armband by Jurgen Klopp, has started just once in the league all season but he has staked a claim for more regular action ahead of Tuesday's trip to Leicester City.

“It’s been a tough season with the competition as fierce as ever so any opportunity that comes along I’ve got to show what I can do,” said Allen, who followed up goals against Arsenal and Exeter by netting the decisive penalty in last week's Capital One Cup semi-final shootout with Stoke City.

“I hope the last few weeks can be a springboard to force may way into the reckoning for more games.

“My focus has been on making sure I am ready. Sometimes if you are not playing you can take your foot off the pedal a bit and I’ve wanted to make sure that has not happened.

“I don’t want to get my chance and then blow it. It’s testing because everyone wants to play week in, week out, but we’ll see what comes of it.”

Allen, whose long-term future remains uncertain with his contract due to expire in 2017, admits he's desperate to nail down a place in Klopp's side with this summer's European Championships on the horizon.

“I would be lying if I said that was not at the back of my mind,” he added.

“But there is enough time between now and then for more opportunities so I will keep the faith and hopefully go to the Euros in good nick.”

'Being captain was a surprise'

The 25-year-old midfielder became the seventh player to captain the Reds under Klopp and he was delighted to be handed the responsibility.

The only disappointment was that a youthful Liverpool side weren't able to take their chances.

“Being captain came as a surprise to be honest,” he said.

“It was only in the meeting before kick-off I was told. It’s a great feeling and I would have loved to have won - that would have made it extra special. But it’s something to be proud of.

“It was a good performance. We are frustrated we didn’t win which shows you how well we did.

“West Ham have had a lot of success this season so in some ways it was a risk (playing a young side), but as players you love having confidence put in you. The lads certainly repaid that.

“We saw they came with a strong line-up and the last 10 or 15 we pushed hard but didn’t just have enough. We’ll just have to go down there and do it.”

Cameron Brannagan was the pick of the Reds' rookies with the teenage midfielder shining alongside Allen.

“He caught my eye as soon as he started training with us and got into the first team,” Allen said.

“The games he played he really impressed and showed a lot of quality. He is the type of player I really like.”