West Brom will return from the international break still winless in their opening eight Premier League matches and their task will not be any easier as they'll face another one of the typical 'top six'.

Having been narrowly defeated 1-0 by Jose Mourinho's rampant Spurs side, they'll head to one of the Special One's former teams in just over a week's time, Manchester United.

Whilst games against Aston Villa, Leeds United, Liverpool and Arsenal are all on the horizon before the first week of January is over.

Reports suggest that Slaven Bilic's job remains in doubt with decision-makers at the Hawthorns mulling over the possibility of sacking him before the Premier League gets back underway.

Much of the blame can be attributed between the Croatian and the board's lack of spending, but you have also got to look at the players themselves.

When doing so, you'll quickly find one surprise name that is hugely underperforming and is perhaps holding the Baggies back somewhat.

Albion skipper Jake Livermore can probably count his lucky stars that he's the captain of the side otherwise he'd be festering away on the substitutes bench. He has just not cut the mustard in the top-flight thus far.

You think Bilic knows it too having withdrawn the veteran midfielder early in each of West Brom's last three outings.

Per WhoScored, the 30-year-old has averaged 2.4 tackles and 1.1 interceptions but has also conceded 2.5 fouls - the most in his career - as well as seeing his passing success rate decrease from 84.1% in 2018/19 to just 75.7% this season.

Only engine room partner Romaine Sawyers has a worse average rating of any Baggies player that has started three or more matches this season.

Sat on £46k-per-week, according to Spotrac, Livermore is among the highest earners at the Midlands club and whilst that is understandable given the fact that he wears the armband, he is just not justifying it with his performances out on the pitch.

It's on Bilic to be ruthless here and axe his midfield general, it may well buy him some time should it spark the necessary reaction.

AND in other news, Baggies will forever regret Jenkins' silly mistake over "swashbuckling" £16.5m titan...