Swansea City prevented Joe Allen from making his debut for Liverpool yesterday.

The Telegraph says Allen signed for his new club after a 5pm deadline on Friday. He needed to be registered with the Premier League before then so he could face Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield yesterday.

Despite being signed outside Premier League office hours, Allen would still have been free to play had the selling club given Liverpool their permission.

Still upset by Allen's departure, Swansea City refused a request by the Merseyside club and the Wales international was forced to watch from the stands.