Rafael Benitez knows Liverpool could face a stiffer challenge this time around as they aim to keep alive their title dreams by repeating one of their best performances of the season against Newcastle.
The Anfield chief recalls a "near perfect" display when his side overran the Magpies at St James' Park in December with a Steven Gerrard-inspired 5-1 victory, which at the time kept Liverpool at the top of the table. Now the teams clash again on Sunday in a match vital to both clubs.
"We were really good that day," said Benitez. "We were in control, we had a lot of chances and their goalkeeper (Shay Given) was man of the match. It was nearly a perfect game for us."
Liverpool are clinging onto Manchester United's coat-tails at the top of the Barclays Premier League while Newcastle are in the relegation zone, three points adrift of fourth-from-bottom Hull.
Gerrard, who has missed the last four games with a groin injury, is set to return to face Alan Shearer's side, but Manchester United could be six points clear of Liverpool at the top if they win at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
But whatever United's result, Benitez knows his side simply have to win if they want to hold onto any hope of landing the title - and he insists a display similar to the one which blew Newcastle away last time the sides met is the requirement again.
"It will be different this time because they have a different manager and are in a different situation," he added.
"And clearly they need to win, so I don't think they will be waiting and waiting for a draw. They have quality players in attack.
"We just need to keep doing our job and we have the confidence to keep winning games. If Manchester United make a mistake then we have to be ready, so we must take three points from each game and then see what happens. We will not give up until the end."
Comment 4 - 23 of 23
man utd will lose and liverpool will win 3 v 0
i hope liverpool win coz im a smoggie and you know we are battling with the geordies to escape relegation so c'mon liverpool i bet torres will score atleast once tommorow
i feel sorry 4 newcastle cause they have 2 play a great team liverpool i hope newcastle stay up but this is going 2 be a easy win 4 the reds 3-0
How would you know that Liverpool and Newcastle are grim places to live Humbleman6930 as you have clearly never left the confines of your own backside.
Liverpool and Newcastle have a great deal in common, they are both grim places to live or even pass through.
Liverpool defenders can lay down on the pitch and have a chat about where they are going on holiday when the season ends, because unfortunately, Martins and Owen could not hit a barn door if they were having their dinner off it.
Carroll on the other hand is a different matter. But at the end of the season, he`ll probably leave and go to a club where the owner is not total pri.ck.
As a Liverpool fan and Liverpudlian I'm sorry that this game comes at this time for Newcastle. Obviously we need a win to keep in contention but our 2 cities have a lot in common. There is much respect from both.
im a liverpool supporter liverpool 2 win Hope newcastle dont go down it might be good 4 them if they did might be the kick in the hole they need Well come back gerarld
Hope Raffa prepares for Newcastle like he did for the visits of Stoke and Fulham.
i would like to see some youngsters get a run out when is pacheco going to get a run as much as id like to see us get back in the title race i highly doubt we can @#$% it from united this late in the season would go down in history as one of the biggest comebacks but hopefully we get babel going because if he cant prove himself i bet he'll be hittin the road at the end of the season
let babel be a striker alongside torres.they both have pace to take on all the defenders
let babel be a striker alongside torres.they both have pace to take on all the defenders
Why all the fuss about MU to lose, its a bit late in the season to worry about the title, Raffa lost that for u early on in the campaign.
Knowing that this one will be harder than last December but I have faith in Liverpool. We will win.
LIVERPOOL TO WIN 6 V 0 GERRARD 3 TORRES 3
big win for liverpool
hopefully liverpool win, I don't want see another pointless loss this season :(, I also hope Man U lose but I doubt its going to happen twice giving us a little chance :(
COMEON NEWCASTLE, PL BURY THE MU BY LOOSING TO LFC.
come on Newcastle. Do them. Do them hard.
dont think we've got a hope in hell, sadly. :(
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