Has West Brom’s Jake Livermore secured his place in the England squad?

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West Bromwich Albion are destined for the Championship, but they may have a World Cup representative in Jake Livermore.

Competition is hotting up for a place in the England squad and it has long been thought by many that Jake Livermore would be one man to make way.

The West Bromwich Albion midfielder has remained in Gareth Southgate’s plans throughout qualifying despite his club’s struggles, but the emergence of other players looked set to see him drop out.

Adam Lallana was coming back from injury, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was playing the best football of his career – as was Jonjo Shelvey.

But in the last few weeks, everything has changed for Southgate, with Livermore now looking increasingly likely to, deservedly, go to the World Cup in Russia.

Lallana is struggling for fitness while Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss the tournament. And, on Saturday, Livermore came face-to-face with Shelvey and there was only one winner.

For the second successive game, Shelvey looked well off the pace. For the second successive game, Livermore was brilliant.

The West Brom man added to his goal against Liverpool with a superb assist for Matt Phillips to beat Newcastle United.

That West Brom are still just about alive and kicking in the Premier League is partly down to Livermore’s fine performances and he should be rewarded by Southgate.