Jake Livermore has sung the praises of fellow West Bromwich Albion midfielder Romaine Sawyers, and has claimed that he has all the potential required to reach the top.

The former England midfielder has a good knowledge of the position too. At international and Premier League level, he played with and against the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick.

Now, though, he believes that Sawyers has the potential to reach the very top, having formed a fruitful partnership with him through the course of this season.

It is a midfield combination that has helped the Baggies to the top of the Championship where they have sat for the majority of the season. They have taken 33 points from 16 matches and are two points clear of Preston North End in second.

Sawyers has been a real driving force for West Brom throughout the season and become one of the first names on Slaven Bilic’s team sheets.

The 28-year-old was sold by the club back in 2013 without making a single appearance. Brentford picked up the central midfielder from Walsall in 2016 before the Hawthorns came calling once again this summer when the side re-signed his services. This was all after Sawyers established himself as a top Championship player at Griffin Park and was promoted to captain of the Bees.

The move has paid dividends for both sides, with Sawyers performing solidly all season and recording a goal and assist from the central-defensive midfield position in the first 17 games.

As reported on the Express and Star, Livermore commended his teammate’s performances this season.

He said: “He (Sawyers) is fantastic,” Livermore said. “I love the boy as a kid, and I love him as a player. I love playing alongside him.

“He is a nice calming influence. I think we bounce off each other quite well.

“He was at West Brom as a kid and credit to them because he has been fantastic since he has come back.

“I back him to be a real, real top player and I have played with a few.

“But I back him to be as good as anyone I have played with to be honest. And I mean that.”

The verdict

For a not very sizeable fee, Sawyers is a bargain. He is a true all-round midfielder. He can create, score, defend and is powerful, quick and skilful on the ball. Next to an experienced player like Livermore in holding midfield, he has improved massively and will continue to throughout the rest of the season.

If West Brom do finally earn promotion to the Premier League, you wouldn't be surprised to see Sawyers retain his place as a regular starter. At 28, he has at least three years of performing at a top level and would be well suited to the physical demands of England's top flight.