Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish admits he is saddened by his former club Blackburn's lowly position in the Premier League.
The Reds host Rovers on Boxing Day, with the Lancashire outfit rooted to the foot of the table and supporters calling for manager Steve Kean to leave the club.
It is in stark contrast from Dalglish's time at Ewood Park, when the Scot managed to win the Premier League in 1995.
He also provided the Blackburn fans with some of the best moments of their recent history, but now they are desperate to avoid being relegated to the Championship.
On Friday morning, around 100 protestors made their voices heard at the club's training ground, again calling for the dismissal of Kean and owners Venky's.
Ahead of their clash on Monday, Dalglish has reiterated his passion for the club and remembers his time at Blackburn fondly.
He said: "I was at Blackburn for three or four years and it was a great place for me to go and work.
"There were some smashing people that were in charge of the club at that particular moment in time and I would have never foreseen the situation they are in.
"They are under a lot of pressure and the frustration is understandable in many ways, but I don't think it is helpful and I think it is sad really that it has come to that - but that is the way it is.
"I think it is unfortunate that as a manager you know that results are going to count and if you don't get them then you are running the risk of getting your P45.
"Results aren't purely down to what the manager does, he needs support from the players, owners and certainly the crowd."
Despite his past associations with Blackburn, the Liverpool manager is desperate for a win at Anfield to boost his side's chances of reaching the top four.
The Reds remain three points behind Chelsea, who drew with Tottenham on Thursday, but are also facing up to the prospect of up to eight games without the suspended Luis Suarez.
But Dalglish believes that regardless of Blackburn's position in the table, they will still provide an awkward challenge for his team.
He added: "Obviously Blackburn are at the wrong end of the table but every game is tricky for its own reasons.
"There seems to be a bit of animosity in and around the club at the moment - but then sometimes that can be an inspiration for some people.
"For other people who aren't strong characters they shy away from it, but we expect them to be strong characters to do what they can to get themselves points on the board and try to help their manager as well."
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