South African playmaker Pienaar departed the Toffees after three-and-a-half years at Goodison Park to make a £3million move to Tottenham and end what had been a productive partnership between him and Baines. Baines has a remarkable eight assists to his name already this season due to his excellent link-up with Pienaar. But following the 28-year-old's departure, the England left-back stressed the importance of building a new partnership with either Russian winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov or Victor Anichebe. "It's a shame that Steven's left," he told the Liverpool Echo. "He was a big player for us and he'll be missed by all the lads because everyone liked him, but as happens so often at clubs people move on. It doesn't matter what player it is. "Manchester United have lost players like Cristiano Ronaldo in the past and the club has moved on, hopefully someone's ready to come in and do the same job. "There's a lot of options. Victor played out there against Liverpool, and did really well in the second half, Bily has been doing well for us lately when he's been given the opportunity and I'm sure he's been relishing the opportunity to get a run in the side. "He'll be looking at it now and really wanting to have a good go from now until the end of the season. "It's important whoever does come in can do a good job for the team. "There's no new players so it will be somebody I'm already familiar with, somebody I play with daily. "I did have a good relationship with Steven, we did have a good understanding together but I'm sure with a few games, if I can keep playing myself, whoever comes in I can get a similar relationship going."
