No extra pleasure for Hodgson

03 April 2011 09:30

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson insists he took no extra pleasure from beating former club Liverpool after Chris Brunt's second penalty of the game earned the Baggies a last-gasp win at The Hawthorns.

Hodgson was sacked by the Reds in January after just six months in charge and took charge of Albion five weeks later. Liverpool took the lead early in the second half through Martin Skrtel but Brunt's two spot-kicks earned West Brom their first Barclays Premier League triumph over the Merseysiders.

Hodgson said: "I get no extra pleasure from beating Liverpool. I made a lot of friends when I was at Liverpool. The players, I have a lot of time and respect for, and the coaching staff, many of them worked with me and worked very loyally."

He added: "I don't take any particular pleasure in that (victory). The great pleasure I take is beating Liverpool because it is not something West Brom do very often."

Albion came from behind against Wolves and Stoke to earn draws and went one better in overcoming Liverpool to climb into 12th in the table.

Hodgson said: "I am more than satisfied, I am really happy with the performance. I thought apart from the first 15 minutes, we took the game to Liverpool and played some really good football."

Liverpool suffered a pre-match setback with skipper Steven Gerrard aggravating his groin problem in training on Friday. Then during the game, defenders Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger had to be substituted in the opening 25 minutes.

Manager Kenny Dalglish said: "We lost Steven yesterday in training. It was innocuous as the two lads' injuries were today which both did when running.

"Agger has done the tendon behind his knee and Glen looks like he has damaged his muscle (in his leg). Steven was training yesterday, ready to be available for today, then innocuously tried to turn with the ball, and he felt a sharp pain.

"It is the same area of his groin but not the same thing. We will get him assessed and at the end of the week we will know better about everyone."

Source: PA