When Albion hosted Manchester City last season, there was a change in goal.

It was the only game in a run of ten, following the 4-0 defeat at Roma, in which Jason Steele kept goal rather than Bart Verbruggen.

That appeared a tactical decision with Roberto De Zerbi preferring Steele in build-up play.

A similar decision seems highly unlikely when City head to the Amex today.

Fabian Huerzeler praised Bart Verbruggen’s work, including with his feet, as he took questions at Anfield not long after last Saturday’s game.

That afternoon had seen Verbruggen make three superb saves but also look confident throughout, clapping the Kop as he ran to take his place beneath the famous home end and then remaining calm before them in possession.

Now, in the run-up to the City game, the Albion head coach has been asked again about Verbruggen.

He has referred to a fellow German and probably a field-leader in a certain type of sweeper-keeper play.

Huerzeler said: “He reminds me of Manuel Neuer.

“When I saw Neuer playing a very modern style, good with his feet, always very reactive and having great saves. It is similar to Bart.

“He is in the early stages of his career, he has this potential to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

“Now he is playing week for week, he is now consistent from last season.

“It is a different challenge for him playing every game for his club and the national team.

“He has more games to be ready, more where he might make mistakes, he might keep us in the game. That is the next step for him.

“He is an unbelievable character and very mature for his age.

“He is clear where he wants to go and this always helps for a young player. He has a big future.”

That big future includes the big part he will play for Holland, having probably emerged as first choice for his country before he did for his club.

He was confirmed in the squad for UEFA Nations League fixtures with Hungary in Amsterdam and away to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Jan Paul van Hecke and Mats Wieffer were also named in the 25-man group.

Verbruggen passed the ball 35 times at Anfield, the same as Yasin Ayari in midfield.

Of those, 15 were termed as “long balls” by the statsmen.

The most passes he has played in one match was his 48 in the 1-0 win at Newcastle.

Last season, both he and Steele averaged 35 passes per match.

It feels like Verbruggen has improved in that area of his game while still being a little more pragmatic than Steele at times.

Today he could face one of the very best of his style in Ederson of Manchester City.

Where Huerzeler and De Zerbi appear to agree is in the potential of Verbruggen.

Speaking towards the end of last season, De Zerbi said: “We believe in Bart. I think Bart can reach the first level of European football because he is amazing.”

Erling Haaland will clearly be big threat to Verbruggen and his fellow defenders this evening.

Huerzeler said: “It’s difficult to defend him in one against one situations, it’s always like a togetherness of defending against him.

“Don’t let him go one against one, don’t let him be one against one, especially in the box defending.

“He’s an unbelievable striker. He’s a goal machine.

“Every striker has bad periods and bad phases.

“Every striker gets judged by the goals.

“He’s still one of the best strikers in the league and in the world.

“We shouldn’t focus on the bad period for him, we should focus on defending him together.”