GAMES I’m the type of guy who always enjoys having a joke... but I know when to stop
Jake: How I turned around my life after drugs bust
JAKE LIVERMORE thought that his career was over when he was plunged into a cocaine hell.
Two years after the West Brom midfielder turned to drugs in a desperate attempt to lift the depression caused by the death of his new-born son, however, he is back in the England squad and looking to the future with optimism.
But Livermore has admitted the nightmare that unfolded just before he played for Hull in the 2015 FA Cup Final made him wonder whether he would ever kick a ball in anger again.
Livermore (above) said: “There was a stage in my life where I didn’t think I was going to play at all, let alone get back playing for England.
“But I’ve taken it day by day and playing club football is where I have got my structure from.
“Thankfully, those performances have been reflected with an England call-up and I will be absolutely delighted if I can stay in.
“Regardless of anything, I will continue trying to perform well for my club and when I come away on these camps, in the small period of time I have, I can hopefully improve more.”
Livermore was suspended by the FA and Hull in May 2015 after failing a random drug test. But the ban was lifted that September after it emerged the 27-year-old had been plunged into depression by his family tragedy. After helping Hull return to the Premier League last season, the former Spurs midfielder joined West Brom in a £10million deal in January.
And England boss Gareth Southgate saw enough in Livermore’s form to bring him back into the Three Lions fold and he started in Wednesday night’s defeat against Germany.
It was a message that Southgate now believes his rehabilitation is complete.
Livermore said: “It’s definitely been a journey for me – but it is one that I am very much trying to grasp with both hands.
“You hope that England places are up for grabs because it creates good competition and that is what we need. We push each other.”