OPINION
James Shan should drop Jake Livermore ahead of West Brom’s clash against Preston on Saturday after his woeful performance against Bristol City earlier this week.
Albion lost their midweek trip to Ashton Gate 3-2, but the scoreline could have been very different if Livermore, 29, did not have such a dreadful game in the midfield.
Livermore gifted Bristol City their first goal on Tuesday night when he lost possession just outside his own penalty area in the build-up to Josh Brownhill’s opener.
Throughout the rest of the game the former Tottenham midfielder gave the ball away cheaply, hardly made any tackles and just appeared to be running through mud every time he was forced into a sprint.
West Brom’s midfield was almost non-existent, and that’s because of how poorly Livermore played in the centre of it.
The Baggies take on Preston at The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon and after two defeats in a row, caretaker manager Shan needs to switch things up in a bid to get the club’s form back on track.
Swinging the axe and dropping Livermore would definitely be a good idea, especially when West Brom have options to replace the seven-times England international in their side.
Sam Field is someone who could replace Livermore while Matt Phillips might be able to return from injury this weekend.
Chris Brunt was an unused substitute at Bristol City, and even the veteran Northern Irishman would be a better option in the centre of the midfield than Livermore, because at least he has his set-pieces to contribute to the side.
Livermore’s form has gotten to a point where he needs to be dropped, and it does not really matter who replaces him, as long as the midfield mainstay is not starting.
The 29-year-old has made 39 appearances in all competitions this season, missing only three league matches that he was suspended for.
Shan should not be letting him reach his 40th appearance against Alex Neil’s Preston.