STEVE Bruce is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with under-pressure Roy Hodgson today – for he considers the Liverpool boss a massive improvement on predecessor Rafael Benitez.

Bruce and Benitez clashed on the touchline last season during Sunderland’s 1-0 win over the Reds at the Stadium of Light, in a game more famous for the travails of a certain beach ball, while Benitez’s pursuit of Kenwyne Jones during last winter’s transfer window angered the Black Cats boss.

Instead, Bruce will relish the opportunity to share a post-match glass of wine with Hodgson, a man who Bruce holds high regard for.

Bruce said last night: “I know Roy will conduct himself far far better than the other manager they had and they’ll be a lot more respected from all of us in the game.

But there you go.

“I thought Rafa Benitez’s behaviour towards us last year was absolutely disgusting and it did affect our season.

I know for a fact that Roy Hodgson would not go down that route just to try and highlight Liverpool’s problems.

That is what Rafa Benitez did with his pursuit of Kenwyne on loan and all of that nonsense.

“I will certainly have a drink with Roy, and usually it’s a nice glass of red, and I hope he does really well. I like him as a man and he is a fantastic coach and he has proved that in the past, but there is no mistake that he has inherited a very difficult job.”

Hodgson has presided over Liverpool’s worst start to a top-flight campaign for 18 years, but Bruce is confident that the Reds will come good in time.

“When he was the Finland manager he’d used to come over and we’d used to have a glass of wine together – I was going to say bottle there – and he would ask about [Mickael] Forsell. But he’s a football man and there’s always some STEVE Bruce is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with under-pressure Roy Hodgson today – for he considers the Liverpool boss a massive improvement on predecessor Rafael Benitez.

Bruce and Benitez clashed on the touchline last season during Sunderland’s 1-0 win over the Reds at the Stadium of Light, in a game more famous for the travails of a certain beach ball, while Benitez’s pursuit of Kenwyne Jones during last winter’s transfer window angered the Black Cats boss.

Instead, Bruce will relish the opportunity to share a post-match glass of wine with Hodgson, a man who Bruce holds high regard for.

Bruce said last night: “I know Roy will conduct himself far far better than the other manager they had and they’ll be a lot more respected from all of us in the game.

But there you go.

“I thought Rafa Benitez’s behaviour towards us last year was absolutely disgusting and it did affect our season.

I know for a fact that Roy Hodgson would not go down that route just to try and highlight Liverpool’s problems.

That is what Rafa Benitez did with his pursuit of Kenwyne on loan and all of that nonsense.

“I will certainly have a drink with Roy, and usually it’s a nice glass of red, and I hope he does really well. I like him as a man and he is a fantastic coach and he has proved that in the past, but there is no mistake that he has inherited a very difficult job.”

Hodgson has presided over Liverpool’s worst start to a top-flight campaign for 18 years, but Bruce is confident that the Reds will come good in time.

“When he was the Finland manager he’d used to come over and we’d used to have a glass of wine together – I was going to say bottle there – and he would ask about [Mickael] Forsell. But he’s a football man and there’s always something about the old school like him, which I still think is the best way.

“They have a certain respect about them, which is correct when he has done it for as long as him. This is one of those weeks you wonder what the hell you do it for and find it tough, but he’s done it and handles himself terrifically well.

“Roy has been in the game longer than I have, if you don’t have a good start you are under pressure and we all know October is a terrible month for us managers, but should he be given time, he will be fine, absolutely fine.

“He’s got a great track record, he is one of the game’s good guys and I really, really wish him well.

“I know for a fact that we wouldn’t have had all those escapades with Liverpool in the past after Rafa Benitez and his carry-ons and his ways, shall we say. I wish Roy all the best but he has inherited a difficult job.”

Both Liverpool and Sunderland were dumped out of the Carling Cup in midweek, but the Reds’ result was the more surprising one, slipping out on penalties to League Two side Northampton Town.

However, Bruce fears an Anfield backlash, with the likes of Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole returning to the line-up today at a ground where Sunderland have not won for nearly 27 years.

He said: “In my experience of Anfield, and certainly in Sunderland’s, there’s never a good time to take them on because it’s always difficult.

“A lot has changed, but the one thing I’ve always though about big clubs is that when their pride is hurt they are at their most dangerous.

“They won’t have enjoyed losing to Northampton and the supporters will demand better.

“They will make 11 changes and they’ll bring back the big guns and when you can field Torres, Cole, Gerrard and Carragher, then you know they have some very good players who want to put it right.

“Apart from the cup game and West Brom, I think we’ve played well this season and I hope we can take that to Anfield and have enough energy about us and take them on like we have done against the big teams this year.”