Saturday, January 21, 2017

West Brom boss Tony Pulis believes Jake Livermore can earn England recall

Jake Livermore left Hull City for West Brom earlier this week
Jake Livermore left Hull City for West Brom earlier this week

Boss Tony Pulis has insisted West Brom can put Jake Livermore back in the England frame.

The midfielder could make his Baggies debut on Saturday after completing a £10m move from Hull.

Livermore has just one England cap, coming in a 2-1 win over Italy in 2012, having failed to force his way into the squad on a consistent basis.

Take a look at Livermore in action for Hull as he helped the Tigers get promoted to the Premier League
Take a look at Livermore in action for Hull as he helped the Tigers get promoted to the Premier League

His move to Hull from Tottenham in 2014 could not aid his international chances but Pulis believes the Baggies can provide the perfect platform.

"We'd love to get him back to that level. I think the kid would love to get back to that level," he said.

"Having spoken to him a few times, his aim, after getting himself fit again and playing to a very good level. His aim is to come here and improve and improve __with the team hopefully.

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"I've spoken to everybody [about him] and they've all given him really good mentions. It's a fresh start for the lad and I think he's looking forward to it.

"We just want to get him up and running, but give him some time to settle in. It's a good group here so it hopefully won't rake him too long to settle in.

"Hopefully he'll be a good asset. Losing the other two [Callum McManaman and Craig Gardner] and then bringing Jake in helps us I think."

Tony Pulis revealed West Brom fought off other Premier League clubs to sign Livermore
Tony Pulis revealed West Brom fought off other Premier League clubs to sign Livermore

Livermore, 27, has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at The Hawthorns but the Baggies missed out on Jose Fonte.

Pulis added: "We tried but it didn't drop for us, a bit like the lad that went to Everton (Morgan Schneiderlin). We do our best. If they come they come, if they don't they don't.

"We need a centre-half, I think everybody knows that. We've been trying and trying but just not been successful."