Apr 21, 2011

Hodgson plays down Reds revenge

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West Brom manager Roy Hodgson insisted Saturday's crucial 2-1 Premier League victory against Liverpool did not feel like revenge against his former club.

Hodgson lasted just 191 days in charge at Anfield before he left the club in January, taking over at the relegation-threatened Baggies five weeks later.


"I don't take any particular pleasure in that victory," said Hodgson.


"The great pleasure I take is beating Liverpool because it is not something West Brom do very often."


Liverpool took the lead through a Martin Skrtel header after the restart at the Hawthorns but Chris Brunt converted two penalties to hand WBA victory - and in doing so boost their prospects of Premier League survival.


The win lifted West Brom to 12th in the table, four points clear of the relegation zone and the highest total they have managed in the top flight.

Red letter day for West Brom - Hodgson


"I am more than satisfied, I am really happy with the performance," added Hodgson.


"I thought apart from the first 15 minutes, we took the game to Liverpool and played some really good football.


"When we went a goal down, it was very much against the run of play but it was a great achievement for the players to put that behind them and score two goals."


Baggies striker Peter Odemwingie was brought down for both of the penalties - the first following a challenge with defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos and the second after he tried to guide the ball round goalkeeper Pepe Reina.


"They were both very clear penalties and the result of excellent work by Odemwingie," continued the Baggies boss.


"Those two goals were a result of quite a lot of pressure we were able to exert on the Liverpool defence.


"We've come back a couple of times against Stoke, Wolves and now against Liverpool. I don't doubt the commitment of the players and their ability to come back from being a goal down.


"We do have a considerable goal threat in the team and it was nice to see the team pass the ball so well against a quality team like Liverpool."


It was a frustrating afternoon for Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, who wants clarification on the issue of who takes responsibility for awarding penalties.


"The only thing I would say about the penalties is one was given by the referee and one by the linesman," said Dalglish.


"If they just tell us when the linesman takes over the authority from the referee, then I think we will understand it better.


"I know the linesman is there to be of assistance to referee, but it would be important if they tell us when they overrule the ref because he was only 10 yards from play for the second one."

Injuries and mistakes costly - Dalglish


Liverpool lost defensive duo Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger to injury in the opening half.


Those injuries followed the news that skipper Steven Gerrard had picked up a knock in training on Friday.


"Agger has done the tendon behind his knee and Glen looks like he has damaged his muscle in his leg," said Dalglish.


"Steven was training on Friday, ready to be available for the match at West Brom, 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."


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