Soccer:New West Brom boss Roy Hodgson admits he has been "hurt" by his Liverpool experience but insists it has not shaken his self-belief or made him feel he has anything to prove after 36 years in management.

Hodgson was sacked after barely six months in charge at Anfield last month but is back in the Premier League with Albion after only a five-week absence from the game.

He put the Baggies players through their paces for the first time today before facing the media for the first time since his unhappy spell with the Reds came to an end.

Hodgson was reluctant to go into details about his reign at Liverpool and is adamant he is focused on trying to keep the Baggies in the top flight. But when asked if he was hurt by events at Liverpool, he said: "Of course it hurts.

"Every time a club decides they don't want you to continue doing the job they've employed you to do, of course it hurts,” he said. "It would be foolish to say anything other than that.

"I knew when I took the job I was taking a bit of a risk because there was likely to be a change of ownership. Therefore I'm reasonably philosophical about it. It's a great club, with some very good people there, the players were extremely good to work with, and I'm happy to see them now getting some good results.

"I don't regret going there."

Hodgson added: "Do I still feel I've got something to prove? No, I think my 36 years, for those who care to study it, speaks for itself. I don't think I've got anything to prove. I do feel I've got a very important job on my hands.

"A lot of people are depending on me to help the club retain its Premier League status. I feel that pressure and responsibility but I don't feel I've got anything to prove.

"I don't think the Liverpool players, if you spoke to them, will think I had anything to prove either and I also have no self doubt."

Hodgson's demise at Liverpool was not aided by the below-par form of Fernando Torres compared to his previous campaigns at the club. But he was not surprised to see the player make the £50 million switch to Chelsea last month.

He said: "Am I surprised Torres went for £50 million? No, I am never surprised at transfer fees.

"We've got to the stage where comparisons are worthless. If a player is a very good player, and you want him, you pay what the price is. If the price is £50 million, then you pay £50 million.

"Fernando is an outstanding player, a very good person, and I think he will do extremely well at Chelsea. I presume he was happy to leave. I've had text messages from him."

Hodgson is happy to be working at a club which he feels will give him sound backing.

He said: "Jobs in this league are precious. Clubs which will allow you to work and do the job properly and give you the support you need, embrace your philosophies and follow what you're attempting to do, are very important.

"I believe West Brom are that sort of club."

Hodgson admitted: "I wasn't planning to return so soon after Liverpool but Dan Ashworth (sporting and technical director) and Jeremy Peace (chairman) were very persuasive.

"I know I've taken on a very difficult challenge in the sense of not having much time and like other clubs we are in a difficult situation trying to retain status. But that's our major focus for me, the major goal and ambition, and I hope we can achieve that then try to get a stronger platform for next season in the Premier League."