The Northern Ireland international will miss the trip to Merseyside due to suspension.
Jonny Evans has been an ever-present for West Brom in the Premier League this season, impressing at the heart of the Baggies defence throughout their solid start to the 2016-17 campaign.
The only problem for the former Manchester United man has been his discipline. Having picked up five yellow cards in the opening eight games, Evans is not available for Albion’s trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, leaving manager Tony Pulis with a defensive dilemma on his hands.
West Brom’s experienced manager has several options, some of which would require a tactical reshuffle. For example, one solution would be to move Craig Dawson infield and select an orthodox full-back, with Everton loanee Brendan Galloway and Chris Brunt available to play on the left-hand side of defence.
Galloway played three consecutive league games after his arrival from Goodison Park but has not been seen since being withdrawn in the second half of the victory over West Ham at the Hawthorns, while Brunt made his long-awaited return from a lengthy injury in the draw with Tottenham last weekend.
Of the two, Pulis may prefer the experience of Brunt over the youth of Galloway, though whether the Northern Irishman’s match fitness would be good enough to be given a start at Anfield is a point of contention.
Alternatively, the Welsh boss could simply bring in a like-for-like replacement in Evans’ place. Jonas Olsson scored at Anfield in West Brom’s 2-2 draw last season and performed heroics at the back as Albion earned an excellent point.
The Swede has not seen league action since the second weekend of the season and most recently appeared for the club’s under-23 side in the EFL Trophy, but if Pulis wants to keep the same shape in his back four then Olsson is the most likely to appear at centre-back.
The most ambitious – but perhaps also the best – option available to Pulis is to bring Galloway back into the fold. Liverpool’s game is based around pace and moving the ball quickly; the speed of the Everton loanee may be the best way to deal with the talents of Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana.
It would be asking too much of Brunt to be thrown in at the deep end for a start at Anfield having only just returned from injury, while bringing in Galloway would also allow Craig Dawson to play in his more natural position in the centre of defence as well as freeing up Allan Nyom to take his preferred role on the right.
Playing two exciting and pacy full-backs will also give the visitors more of a threat going forward on the break, increasing the likelihood of Pulis’ men grabbing a lead which they are then more than capable of protecting.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
