Liverpool’s Adam Lallana has to play against West Brom, says Paul Merson

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Liverpool host West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.

Liverpool have to recall Adam Lallana against West Bromwich Albion, according to Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson.

Lallana lasted just 23 minutes of this month’s win against Swansea City after picking up a groin injury, which ruled him out of both of England’s recent fixtures.

Not fit to start against Manchester United on Monday, the 28-year-old was brought on for the final half an hour and his introduction appeared to spark his side’s second-half rally – although they failed to find a winner.

Liverpool have the opportunity to put further pressure on the Premier League’s top three against the Baggies on Saturday tea time and Merson says they should “take a chance” and play Lallana.

“I was a bit disappointed in Liverpool against United,” Merson writes in his weekly predictions column for Sky Sports. “People criticised United, who did sit back, but I thought Liverpool were going to come out of the blocks and play like they have been at home recently.

“They created two chances in the whole match, and I didn’t think it was good enough. They didn’t have many ideas, and struggled against a team who, granted, defended well. It was disappointing, and I expected them to win the game.

“West Brom are going to be hard to beat, they’re doing well, but I think Liverpool will win this. Adam Lallana has to play, they should take a chance and play him.

“They missed him against United, they didn’t look like they were going to open much up without him in the team. The Baggies will sit back and they need to break them open.”

Lallana has been one of Liverpool’s most impressive performers this season, scoring three goals and creating another three in his first six league outings.

Jurgen Klopp’s side currently sit fourth in the standings, but could go top depending on the respective results of Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

12th-place West Brom, meanwhile, are on the cusp of the to half.