Jake Livermore: Competition from Harper and Field has done West Brom 'world of good'

Livermore is expected to start his first game since New Year's Day tonight, when the Baggies host Brighton in an FA Cup fourth round replay.

The midfielder missed four games due to a suspension picked up for his second red card of the season, before head coach Darren Moore kept faith in youngsters Harper and Field for the match against Middlesbrough.

And Livermore believes the team has benefited from those two academy graduates stepping into the fold.

“Obviously, after any lay-off you have, you’re desperate to get back,” he said.

“But the positives from that is my body needed a rest anyway, I had played a lot of games this season and was putting my body through stress.

“And it’s fortunately allowed some of the young boys to come in and show what they can do, so as a squad I feel we’re stronger now.

“Sam and Rekeem have been fantastic. Sam has had a bit more air time over the past few years than Rekeem perhaps, but Rekeem’s gone in and been absolutely fantastic.

“His physical attributes and his brain for such a young kid, I’m really happy he’s had that platform to go on and show everyone what he can do.

“As desperate as I am to get back out on the field, and as disappointed as I was to be off it, I think it’s done the team the world of good.”

Livermore is likely to replace 37-year-old Gareth Barry in midfield tonight, and he has fond memories of the FA Cup, having reached the final with Hull City in 2014.

“I’m a fan of football in any competition, so of course I’m a fan of the FA Cup," said Livermore.

“I had a magical run a couple of years ago when I was at Hull. It’s great for the fans, it’s great for the momentum of the club and it’s sometimes an opportunity for players to go and show what they can do.”

Meanwhile, Brighton are buying each of their travelling fans a drink at The Hawthorns tonight.

Chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber said, “With the game being shown live on terrestrial TV and the weather – albeit slightly improved – typical of February, we wanted to reward those fans making the effort to travel and support Chris (Hughton) and the team midweek.”