Kenny Dalglish insists Roy Hodgson has nothing to prove when Liverpool visit West Brom this weekend.
Baggies boss Hodgson faces his former employers for the first time since his brief reign at Anfield came to an end following a dismal first half of the campaign.
But Dalglish, who took over from the 63-year-old in January, insists it will be business as usual for both him and his opposite number at The Hawthorns.
The Scot said: “Roy hasn't got anything to prove to anybody.
“If you say he has extra motivation then you are doubting the man's integrity and implying he never had enough motivation before.
“It's Liverpool vs West Brom and we'll face a team that has been prepared by Roy. I don't have a problem with that. It'll be nice to see him again.
“West Brom were tough to beat here when Roberto (Di Matteo) was in charge. They played very well here. We won 1-0 but it was a very difficult game.
“Roy brings his own management style to the club and they have done well since he went in there. We are looking forward to the game and it will be nice to see Roy again.
“I have great respect for him as I said when I came in here and that isn't going to change now that we are playing against each other.
“So for me, the game is about Liverpool against West Brom and that's the way I'll go into it. I'll see an old friend of mine standing in the opposite dugout.
“Everyone knows he's an excellent coach so we know what to expect. We know how they will play so it's up to us to be better than them on the day.”