This time last season, Roy Hodgson was enduring an unhappy reign at Anfield which would eventually see the former Fulham boss removed from his post in early January.

There is a general feeling that Hodgson was never given a fair crack of the whip by Liverpool, with his appointment coming at the same time as the ill-fated Gillett / Hicks stranglehold was finally being released at the Merseyside club.

Even so, West Brom were very glad to acquire his services and comfortably stay in the Premier League last term, with back-to-back wins helping the Baggies up to mid-table recently and they have every chance of beating the Reds on Saturday evening.

The Albion look overpriced at 3/1 (bet365 – £200 free bets) to claim victory against a Liverpool side that might be a little weary after a tough Carling Cup clash at Stoke on Wednesday night, which saw Kenny Dalglish’s side come from a goal down to beat the Potters.

Luis Suarez was in the spotlight for the right reasons at the Britannia Stadium by scoring both of his team’s goals and the Uruguayan will be a popular bet at 9/2 (Ladbrokes – £50 free betting) to score the first goal of this game, with the manager debating whether to field Andy Carroll alongside him or instead recall Craig Bellamy to the team.

Liverpool are 11/10 to claim victory at The Hawthorns having won games at Arsenal and Everton this term as well as losing matches at Stoke and Tottenham. A win would certainly keep them in contention for a top four place in the Premier League, although some punters won’t be quite prepared to trust them at these odds.

The draw can be backed at 5/2 and the safest bet is probably on the match finishing all square, with Shane Long ruled out for six weeks after Alan Hutton’s bad tackle on the forward during last weekend’s Midlands derby.