Jake Livermore rewarded for ditching family holiday to answer England call
Three Lions chief Gareth Southgate reveals the incredible loyalty shown by the West Brom midfielder
JAKE LIVERMORE’S loyalty has been rewarded by his shock England call-up — after scrapping a holiday to be available.
The West Brom midfielder had started just FOUR games since the turn of the year before Gareth Southgate gave him the nod to face Holland and Italy later this month.
But while Danny Drinkwater pulled out of international duty earlier this season, Livermore, 28, dropped everything to be available after his rival’s no-show.
Southgate said: “In November, we left him out and he was just about to board a plane to go away and celebrate his birthday.
“He left the family at the airport and did really well against Brazil and Germany.
“That has to carry some weight when you are building the spirit and culture around your team.
“That doesn’t mean he is guaranteed to go to the World Cup in the summer.
“But that is the sort of example that I think is important. I know when I pick Jake it is going to get a certain sort of reaction.
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“But there is a specific reason for why we have done it this time in particular.”
Ross Barkley’s chances of going to Russia are over, with Southgate adding: “It’s going to be difficult for him to get the number of games he needs now.”