Roy Expecting Rough Ride

West Brom boss Roy Hodgson is not expecting a warm welcome when he returns to Anfield on Sunday.

Hodgson makes his first return to Anfield this weekend since being sacked by the Reds last year following an ill-fated spell on Merseyside.

The experienced manager was dismissed in January 2011 after just eight months in charge before returning to management with the Baggies only 37 days later.

Hodgson failed to win over the Liverpool faithful during his time at the club and he admits to not being liked by the Reds fans while he was in charge.

When asked if he will receive a good reception, Hodgson said: "I don't know. I wouldn't have thought so.

"There is no reason to give me a good reception because they didn't like me when I was there. I can't see they are going to like me now.

"There aren't that many people I worked with that are still there and people like Damien Comolli (director of football) have moved on. But it will be nice to see one or two players I worked with."

Hodgson believes Liverpool will be in buoyant mood and with the pressure eased on them after reaching the FA Cup final.

"I'm sure they will be in a buoyant mood," added Hodgson. "Their home form has not been that good so I think they will be concentrating on getting the three points and as close to fourth spot as they can.

"I don't see their FA Cup success having any bearing other than it will make them more confident and maybe take a bit of pressure off them in terms of the game.

"Had they lost the semi-final, then all the attention would have been on their home record, which hasn't been great this season."

Albion made sure of a third successive season in the top flight via last week's win over QPR but Hodgson is adamant his players will not ease up during the final three weeks of the campaign.

"There are four matches left where I hope we give good performances that bring us more points," continued Hodgson.

"I can assure everyone interested in the club, particularly our fans, there is no letting up from us.

"We will train in the same way, will prepare for the games in the same way, as if we needed to win every one.

"You want to finish as high as possible. You have a basic goal to stay in the league and a second goal to get as many points as you can and finish as high as possible.

"There is no doubt we will be trying to do that but it is nice to approach it without that horrible feeling if you don't win or get a point, you are sinking further into the mire.

"I've been in that situation with Fulham and West Brom last year and it is a much nicer feeling to go into the games knowing if you lose, it doesn't mean you are relegated."