Hodgson expecting a cool reception from Anfield fans

Published Nov 7, 2016

Last updated Apr 20, 2012

Albion boss Roy Hodgson is expecting a lukewarm reception when he returns to Liverpool on Sunday.

The Baggies head coach heads back to Anfield for the first time since his sacking by the Reds 15 months ago.

And Hodgson, who spent six difficult months in charge of the Merseyside club, is not banking on a warm welcome back this weekend.

Asked whether he expected a good reception from the fans at Anfield, Hodgson said: "I don't know. I wouldn't have thought so.

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

"There aren't that many people I worked with that are still there but it will be quite nice to see one or two of the players who I worked with.

"People like Damien Camolli have moved on.

"There aren't so many colleagues outside of the playing staff and the kit men that I'll know – but it will be nice to see them again."

Hodgson's side will take on a Liverpool side fresh from their victory over Everton in an all-Merseyside FA Cup semi-final.

But the Baggies boss is not expecting his former side to be distracted by their return to Wembley to take on Chelsea in the final.

"It's too far away from the event," he said. "I'm sure they'll be in a buoyant mood.

"But their own home form has not been that good so, in actual fact, I think they'll be concentrating on the game in order to get three points in the league and make sure they get as close to the fourth spot as they can.

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

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