Confirmed West Brom XI v Liverpool: Pereira fails to start, one change as forward returns
Sam Allardyce has made just one change to the West Brom starting line-up against Liverpool with forward Callum Robinson replacing the suspended Jake Livermore.
The Baggies head to Anfield knowing they would be without the services of captain Livermore, who starts the first of a three-game suspension following his straight red card in Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Midlands rivals Aston Villa.
In for Livermore is striker Robinson, who came on for the final eight minutes of Monday’s defeat to Villa.
The club’s Twitter account announced the team news before the game with fans eager to see who had made the cut for the starting line-up against the league leaders.
In goal, Sam Johnstone keeps up his ever-present record in the Premier League, lining up behind a four-man defence consisting of Darnell Furlong, Semi Ajayi, Dara O’Shea and Kieran Gibbs.
In midfield, Conor Gallagher is expected to operate in a deeper midfield role alongside Romaine Sawyers, with Robinson, Grady Diangana and Matt Phillips behind frontman Karlan Grant. Interestingly, Matheus Pereira is available again after serving a three-match ban but only makes the bench.
West Brom start the game against Liverpool knowing that even an unlikely win would see them remain in the Premier League relegation zone.
With just seven points this season, the Baggies are marooned in 19th position, five points ahead of winless Sheffield United but four points behind Fulham in 18th.
Picking up any points at this stage of the season could prove to be crucial for the future, so anything that can be accrued against Liverpool would be a welcome boost as the strugglers aim to move up the division.
Unless points are put on the board soon, the gap to safety could continue to widen for the Premier League strugglers.
After the game at Anfield, West Brom host Leeds at the Hawthorns, before playing Arsenal at the same venue.
In other West Brom news, Johnstone linked with move away as Leeds monitor contract situation.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.