Soccer:Under-fire Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson believes Sunday's FA Cup third-round clash at Manchester United offers them the perfect chance to bounce back from their recent problems.

Hodgson has found himself under increasing pressure since the Reds' disappointing 3-1 defeat to Blackburn at Ewood Park on Wednesday. The 63-year-old was spared a grilling from the media today after his weekly briefing was cancelled at the club's Melwood training ground.

Hodgson refused to answer questions about his future in the wake of the Blackburn defeat and the former Fulham boss is keen to erase the memories of the loss at Ewood Park with a win at the home of their most bitter rivals.

"It gives us a chance in a really high-profile game and a big game to get back and put the bitter defeat against Blackburn behind us," Hodgson told the club's official website. "It was a poor, poor defensive performance to let in the goals we did and we're all very disappointed about that.

"We thought after Bolton we had a good opportunity to go to Blackburn and beat them. To come away defeated was a harsh blow and this game against our fiercest rivals gives us the chance to show we are better than we were on Wednesday."

Hodgson insists everyone at the club is hurting at their current predicament and he is expecting a positive reaction to their Blackburn setback.

Asked if he expected a reaction and an improved performance, Hodgson said: "Yes, I do. It's very important the fans realise that we understand they have high hopes, expectations and ambitions for the club and the team.

"We have high hopes, expectations and ambitions as well. Every time we go on to the field we desperately want to see those dreams materialise and to produce the performances which bring you results.

"It's very painful when it's not happening and the fans make their views felt. We're all hurting in this situation."

Hodgson feels the spirit among the squad remains good and he insists it has not been hard to lift the players from the Blackburn game.

"No, I don't think it's difficult to get the players focused on a team like Manchester United," added Hodgson. "Thursday was a day off so this is the first time I've seen them since Blackburn. The mood was very good.

"People worked well in quite difficult circumstances because we were playing on a snowy pitch where the ball wasn't rolling too well.