Rafael Benitez has admitted he “can’t win” against his former side Liverpool when they travel to St James’ Park.
Newcastle play the Reds on the penultimate weekend which could turn out to be Benitez’s last game in charge of the Magpies.
Liverpool meanwhile are currently involved in a head to head battle for the title and anything but a win against Newcastle will put there hopes in serious jeopardy.
After Newcastle beat Southampton 3-1 in their last outing, Benitez delivered his honest seven-word statement to talkSPORT, saying: “That is a game I can’t win”.
“If we win, they [the Liverpool fans] will say: ‘Oh, [he should be helping us].’ And, if you lose, the City fans: ‘Oh, he was not giving everything.’
Benitez went on to admit that he would never go out and not try to win any game and the prospect of beating his former employers will whet the Spaniard’s appetite.
OPINION
Newcastle have enjoyed a solid season under Benitez and have already secured a top flight spot for next season. A win against Liverpool in the final home game of the season would top of a successful season and give Benitez a platform to build on should he decide to stay. The argument of the Spaniard saying he ‘can not win’ is irrelevant, Benitez will definitely send his team out to win no matter who the opposition be, Liverpool or Manchester City. The argument from Liverpool would be clutching at straws if they believed that Benitez has added motivation for their upcoming match. This one will be very difficult for Newcastle however, as Miguel Almiron looks set to miss out and that can only benefit the Reds. Manchester City fans will know that if they win all their remaining games, the title will be theirs, that should be the only thing in their minds as of now.