Newcastle vs Liverpool: Will Rafa Benitez thwart his former club?
Watch Newcastle vs Liverpool on Sky Sports Premier League from 7pm on Saturday; Kick-off at 7.45pm
Saturday 4 May 2019 20:30, UK
Rafa Benitez's place in the hearts of Liverpool fans could be sorely tested when Newcastle host the title chasers at St James' Park on Saturday evening.
Liverpool can return to the Premier League summit with a win over Newcastle - a result that would move them two points clear of Manchester City in an enthralling race that has seen the lead change hands 30 times.
But Benitez - the man responsible for Liverpool's incredible 2005 Champions League triumph and FA Cup win the following year - could finally put an end to Liverpool's historic title challenge with victory in what may be the Spaniard's final home game in the north east.
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Benitez's own future at Newcastle remains unclear, with the Spaniard's contract expiring this summer, although he revealed on Friday he had held "positive" talks with the club.
"I was talking with (managing director) Lee Charnley this week and we will let you know as soon as we have more news," he said. "At the moment, it's just we have had another talk and we'll continue talking."
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Asked further if the talks had been positive, the 59-year-old replied: "Yes."
But he has more immediate concerns. Having done his old side a favour by beating Manchester City in January, will he undo all that with a Newcastle victory in the Sky Live clash? And what chance of mixed emotions for the man who managed the Reds for 350 games between 2004 and 2010?
"We have to do our job," he said. "My relationship with Liverpool is there, the memories and trophies. But we have to be professional. (Jurgen) Klopp will want to win for his fans too.
"I was tempted to bring with me the picture the Liverpool fans made for me after the win over Man City saying thank you. I have friends in the Liverpool camp and the City camp. I have good relationships with both Klopp and (Pep) Guardiola so I'll be trying to win. Klopp hasn't called, I didn't want to talk to him or Pep just in case you asked this question."
Team news
Ayoze Perez (hip) and Jamaal Lascelles (illness) have been passed fit for Newcastle, but DeAndre Yedlin is set to miss out with a groin problem.
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is a doubt for the trip to St James' Park with the torn thigh muscle that restricted him to just 11 minutes as a substitute in the Champions League defeat to Barcelona.
With the second leg coming up on Tuesday, he is unlikely to be risked against Newcastle, while midfielder Naby Keita will not play again this season because of the groin injury sustained at the Nou Camp.
Midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum played as a false nine in Firmino's absence against Barcelona and Klopp defended his decision to play the former Newcastle man in an unaccustomed role.
"It was quite a big task. When I told him that he plays the position he was surprised, obviously," he said.
"I know that people outside [the club] said it was easier to play another striker but there are different jobs to do on the pitch and Gini did really well.
"It is not about being this or that, you have to be a football player, you have to be a lot of things and he has this education so he was good, really good."
Rafael Benitez
Jurgen Klopp
'Liverpool must move on from Barca'
Liverpool, of course, must refocus on domestic issues after that devastating 3-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday, and Jurgen Klopp invoked several images of the Underworld when he spoke of the determination of his side to put the agony of midweek behind them.
"The boys are completely on fire. When you're in the race, you don't get tired. We are ambitious like hell. All we can do is beat Newcastle and that's unbelievably difficult, what other teams do on Monday night isn't our problem," he said, referring to Manchester City's home game with Leicester City.
"The performances in recent weeks have been brilliant. Now we need to carry on like this."
Phil Babb: "It would have been nice for them to get the away goal, but you have to take a positive out of there; they didn't disgrace themselves - although the scoreline may suggest that, I don't think they did.
"It's going to be tough, there will be disappointment from that game. The shock about Naby Keita as well, that might affect some of them because he was in good form, scoring goals, showing the signs of why Liverpool bought him.
"But the flip side of that - (Alex) Oxlade-Chamberlain is back. That's a boost for Liverpool. So, hangover? I doubt it. Not at this stage of the season; there's too much at stake."
Danny Higginbotham: "There's got to be a reaction. The Newcastle game is going to be difficult regardless of everything. We know how Newcastle play, especially against the top teams. They look to frustrate them and it ends up more often than not a back five.
"Liverpool have got to go there and win and get this game out of their system. I'm sure Jurgen Klopp will be saying to his players, 'the scoreline flattered Barcelona, we've gone there and dominated for large parts of the game. You've got to be confident'.
Ray Parlour: "Obviously you have lost 3-0 but they have to believe they can still get through in the second leg.
"It's going to be very tough but their attention now has to be against Newcastle because they have to make sure they win their last games, so do Manchester City, to take it to the last game."
Sky Bet match odds
Liverpool are overwhelming favourites to seal all three points and are 4/11 to win.
Newcastle are 15/2 to cause Klopp's side more misery after the Champions League semi-final setback with a second defeat of the week.
Opta stats
- Newcastle United have only lost one of their last seven home Premier League games against Liverpool (0-6 in April 2013), winning four and drawing the other two.
- Liverpool have won their last two Premier League games against Newcastle - they haven't won three in a row against them since a run of four between November 2007 and May 2009.
- Liverpool have lost 10 away Premier League games against Newcastle, only losing more against Man Utd (16), Chelsea (14) and Spurs (12).
- Newcastle have won their last four home league matches in the month of May, scoring 13 goals and conceding just once.
- Newcastle have won six of their last seven Premier League home games, netting at least twice in each victory (L1).
- Liverpool have won their last seven Premier League matches, scoring 20 goals and conceding five. The Reds are on the longest current unbeaten run in the Premier League (15 games, W11 D4).
Title race - Sky Bet odds
Get Sky Bet's latest match odds here!
Paul Merson's prediction
You hope Liverpool win, you really do, because otherwise you look at it and the fact they lost 3-0 at Barcelona, and if they draw here their season's fizzled out in four days. I think they'll win, the other night they just came up against an extraordinary club. They don't deserve their season to fizzle out. They should at least take it to the last day.
Newcastle will make it a long night for them, they're used to being tight, they don't have to entertain, their fans know what they're like, they'll make it hard and it'll be a tough one.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2
Sky Sports' Premier League games this weekend
Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur: Live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event Saturday from 12pm. Kick-off is 12.30pm.
Newcastle vs Liverpool: Live on Sky Sports Premier League from 7pm and Main Event Saturday from 7.30pm. Kick-off is 7.45pm
Huddersfield Town vs Manchester United: Live on Sky Sports Premier League from 1pm and Main Event Sunday from 1.30pm. Kick-off is 12.30pm.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion: Live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event Sunday from 4.15pm. Kick-off is 4.30pm.
Manchester City vs Leicester City : Live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event Monday from 7pm. Kick-off is 8pm.
