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Roy Hodgson. There, we've said it.

Liverpool supporters don't have to be too long in the tooth to have a shudder sent through them at the mere mention of the name.

It was only eight years ago that Hodgson was jettisoned from the Reds hotseat barely six months into a tumultuous, forgettable reign.

In some respects, though, it seems a lifetime away, such has been the rate of change at Anfield during the 2010s.

Hodgson was in some ways a victim of circumstance, arriving in the summer of 2010 with the club careering towards the brink of administration during the dying embers of the Tom Hicks and George Gillett regime, and then caught up in the shift of power towards New England Sports Ventures, later to become Fenway Sports Group.

Of course, there's a strong argument that without such a state of flux, Hodgson would never have been considered for the role in the first place.

And while his hands were tied somewhat by a lack of funds, he undoubtedly didn't help himself with some iffy purchases - Paul Konchesky, anyone? - nor some public comments that suggested he simply didn't understand what it meant to represent Liverpool.

It must be said some Reds players of the time, such as Steven Gerrard, regard Hodgson with the utmost respect.

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But Liverpool supporters would primarily prefer to forget Hodgson ever happened.

Now he's back in the Anfield dugout for the first time in almost seven years when Liverpool entertain his Crystal Palace side on Saturday.

And while he helmed some of the Reds' most disappointing home results in recent years - think Northampton, Blackpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers - Hodgson has good reason to look forward to his return.

He has never lost a game at Anfield as an opposing manager.

In mitigation, there have only been three such fixtures.

Back in November 2008, his Fulham eked our a goalless draw, one of several home games in which dropped points ultimately did for Liverpool's title challenge.

In April 2010, another scoreless stalemate effectively put paid to any lingering hopes of Champions League qualification under Rafael Benitez, whose job Hodgson would take mere months later.

And in April 2012, Peter Odemwingie's late effort was enough to earn West Bromwich Albion victory and edge Kenny Dalglish - the man who replaced Hodgson - nearer the sack.

Indeed, Liverpool have never even scored a home goal against a Hodgson side.

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Palace come into the game on the back of successive away wins against champions Manchester City and Wolves despite still hovering dangerously above the relegation zone.

And if ever there was an opportune time for title-chasing Liverpool to end their Hodgson hoodoo, it's this weekend.