It’s been claimed that Jake Livermore’s attempt to get his hands on a West Ham fan on Tuesday night stemmed from a taunt about his son, who tragically passed away in 2014.
Livermore’s son died shortly after birth following several complications during labour and it was reported on Sky Sports News on Wednesday morning that the West Brom midfielder was reacting to a comment about that when he became embroiled in a physical altercation with a Hammers fan at the London Stadium.
The incident took place immediately after Livermore was substituted during West Brom’s defeat and the player had to be escorted down the tunnel by stewards.
Both clubs are said to be investigating the matter, with statements expected later on Wednesday, and while there is no official confirmation about what caused the incident, some reports from the stadium corroborate suggestions that the abuse had escalated throughout the evening.
I was quite close to Jake Livermore incident -whatever was said to him wasn't pleasant because the player saw the red mist immediately. Had laughed off the cocaine jibes so was a step beyond that. #WHUWBA
— Seb Hutchinson (@Seb_Hutch) January 2, 2018
Baggies manager Alan Pardew insisted he would speak to his player about the altercation.
“The only thing I know is I see Jake in the crowd, which disturbed me. Obviously you don’t want to see a player in the crowd,” Pardew said.
Was right next to the Livermore incident. Here he is being taken away… pic.twitter.com/rhTmI44dsF
— x (@ironswhufc66) January 2, 2018
“There’s no way he’s going in the crowd – because I know him, he’s a great lad – unless he was provoked severely. That’s all I know.
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to Jake. I’ll speak to Jake and we’ll go from there.”
