Liverpool spell still haunts Roy Hodgson so Crystal Palace boss would love to put the brakes on runaway Reds

Roy Hodgson would love to inflict a little more pain on Liverpool. The Crystal Palace manager endured a short, miserable stint on Merseyside eight years ago. No one recalls those seven ugly months with any fondness.

The 71-year-old will barely recognise the club that visit Selhurst Park on Monday. The Liverpool that Hodgson knew was a place riddled with backbiting and doubt. Under Jurgen Klopp the mood is completely different. There is a belief that the German has assembled a team capable of challenging Manchester City for the title.

Klopp, with his enthusiasm and bubbly personality, is the antithesis of Hodgson. The Palace boss is downbeat and more likely to dampen expectations than energise a crowd.

What both men have in common is a much more combative nature than their public image suggests. It could be a spiky encounter on Monday.

It will be a big test for Liverpool. When Hodgson took over at Palace 11 months ago, they looked certain to be relegated. This season they can expect to finish in the top half of the table and perhaps even target a Europa League place. Palace are organised, neat and have a dash of flair. It will take all of Hodgson’s tactical acumen to stifle Liverpool’s front three but Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke have the ability to exploit a defence that still shows signs of uncertainty. This is the sort of territory where Hodgson thrives. He earned his chance at Anfield after an impressive spell at Fulham. His failure on Merseyside was so comprehensive that it is hard to find anyone connected with the Reds who will speak well of the Palace manager. Forget England, Liverpool was the real impossible job on Hodgson’s resumé.

He took over a club riven with internal dissension and paranoia was rampant. But Hodgson did not help himself. He gave the impression of being a man under siege from the moment he arrived on Merseyside.

There was no attempt to form a relationship with the local media and a sceptical Kop was appalled by the new man’s negativity.

Taking charge of a club like Liverpool requires a particular approach. Even when the team are in straightened circumstances, the man in control needs a bit of swagger. At some point the manager has to back up the bravado but exuding belief buys goodwill and time.

Hodgson’s downbeat demeanour and slightly negative realism was fated to fail on Merseyside. Less than three months after taking over, new owners sacked the manager to the relief of fans. It hurt Hodgson and remains a traumatic episode. The Palace boss has nothing to prove to anyone. A career in the dugout that stretches back five decades has illustrated his strengths and weaknesses with clarity. Hodgson is no innovator but he is pragmatic, makes life awkward for opponents and is able to spring the occasional surprise. Selhurst is a better place for his presence.

Yet the former England boss would take particular satisfaction if he could put the brakes on Klopp’s side. Things have changed since he departed Anfield but neither Liverpool nor their former manager are quite willing to forgive and forget.