Livermore thought his England chance had gone

Livermore was a surprise inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s squad to face Germany tonight and Lithuania four days later, having earned his solitary cap five years ago.

Since he last wore the Three Lions the 27-year-old midfielder has experienced the trauma of his newborn child’s death, and testing positive for cocaine in May 2015 as he struggled to deal with the loss.

Having avoided a two-year ban – his unique circumstances taken as mitigation by the Football Association – Livermore rebuilt his career, first helping Hull City win promotion to the Premier League, then earning a £10m January move to West Brom, where his displays caught Southgate’s attention.

“I never thought I’d have the opportunity to represent my country again, the longer it goes the harder it seems to get,” he said.

“I wouldn’t have thought it would come, it was in my distant dreams.

“To be honest it wasn’t overly in my thoughts, it was more just wanting to get back into club football and put a positive spin on my career, for my friends, for my family and those who stuck by me – the FA among them.

“Hopefully I can do myself, my country and them proud,” he added.

“Having this opportunity to repay them in any way, shape or form is like a dream for me.”

Livermore, softly spoken off the field but a tenacious competitor on it, is also keen for his legacy to be about more than just his personal struggles.

“Football always helped me very much because it was a platform for me to propel my life, really,” he said.

“I have got children now and it’s something I want to be able to look back at – a football career – and show them something that they can be proud of their dad for rather than what they may read instead.”

Livermore remains grateful for the support he received at his own low ebb – be it the from Hull, whose then boss Steve Bruce took his duty of care with the player to heart, or those who heard his case – and wants to be there for others in future.