Stoke City will have to pay Liverpool £500,000 if they finish in the Premier League top 10, as part of the Joe Allen deal.

Allen signed for Stoke in a deal worth £13 million in July and the club will fork out an extra chunk of money should they claim a place in the top half of the table.

The Wales international has impressed at the Bet365 Stadium this season, and manager Mark Hughes has backed the midfielder to make a big impression against his former club on Saturday.

Allen’s departure from Anfield in the summer polarised opinion among supporters, after he chose to leave due to limited first-team appearances. But Stoke are hoping Allen will guide the club towards the top 10 and trigger another instalment in the transfer.