Premier League preview: West Brom v Liverpool

Roy Hodgson will be on a revenge mission when his West Bromwich Albion side host Liverpool in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Hodgson was sacked by Liverpool in January after just six months in charge at Anfield – the shortest managerial reign in the club’s history.

The 63-year-old took over at West Brom the following month, charged with keeping the promoted club in the top flight.

The Baggies are unbeaten in five matches under Hodgson, with one win and four draws seeing them climb to 16th on the table, one point above the relegation zone.

They should have beaten second-placed Arsenal in their last match on March 19, but let a two-goal lead slip to 2-2.

Liverpool turned to former player and manager Kenny Dalglish to replace Hodgson and the crowd favourite has presided over a considerable improvement in the team’s fortunes.

The Reds have moved up to sixth place on the table, recording victories over Manchester United and Chelsea in the process.

The club’s new American owners spent big in the January transfer window to bring in strikers Luis Suarez from Ajax and Newcastle United’s Andy Carroll.

Carroll has made just a handful of appearances for his new side due to injury, but has now returned to fitness and scored his first goal for England in a 1-1 draw with Ghana on Tuesday.

Liverpool benefited from a contentious penalty decision to defeat Sunderland 2-0 at home in their most recent outing, with Dirk Kuyt and Suarez on target.

Dalglish will be without his captain Steven Gerrard for the trip to the Hawthorns due to a groin injury.

Young midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is also unavailable, while fullbacks Martin Kelly and Fabio Aurelio are in doubt with hamstring problems.

West Brom have the majority of their squad available, with only defender Pablo Ibanez (hamstring) and Graham Dorrans (ankle) expected to miss out.