Tony Pulis: Saido Berahino needed to be taken out the spotlight
Albion boss Tony Pulis reckons a personal fitness programme was the best way forward for Saido Berahino after admitting the forward needed to be taken out of the firing line.
The 23-year-old has been placed on a weight-loss programme after tests revealed he was eight pounds overweight.
Berahino was left out of last weekend's 1-1 draw at Tottenham and won't feature in tomorrow's game at Liverpool (5.30pm).
The striker, who has been no stranger to controversy during his brief career, has not scored for 14 games but Pulis feels he has bought into the new fitness regime.
"We have come to the conclusion it is the best way forward for Saido and he has bought into it as well," said the head coach.
"We will take him out of the firing line and it's important we get him back to sharpness and fitness. We think that's the best way of doing it.
"Players are training hard at the beginning of the week and then dropping off. Saido has had a weekend off as well.
"We have put a fitness regime in place and we are hoping and praying it will get him back to where we want him."
Berahino netted 20 goals during the 2014-15 campaign but has his star fall considerably following a series of off-field incidents, which included a threat to go on strike when he was denied a deadline day move to Tottenham during the summer of 2015.
Pulis added: "I don't think there's just one reason (why he's overweight). The lad has bought into it and wants to get himself fit.
"Saido has got too many people around him at times and he gets carried away with different ideas and thoughts."
Albion will be missing defender Jonny Evans through suspension at Anfield. The Baggies drew 2-2 in the same fixture last season but the Reds are now being tipped as title challengers after a strong start to the season under Jurgen Klopp.
The German and Pulis were involved in a war of words after last season's games but Pulis insists their relationship is far better now.
"We have played against them twice and he (Klopp) has been alright," he said. "He is passionate, which is brilliant. You want people who are like that.
"He has certainly tried to get players and supporters riled up to win games. They have hell of a chance this year. They have a clear run at it as they are not in European games."
