Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has warned his old club and Manchester United that Newcastle United have the qualities to see out Champions League qualification.
The in-form Reds moved within one point of fourth-placed Man United and third-placed Newcastle with a 3-0 win over Leicester City on Monday night. Curtis Jones bagged a brace at the King Power Stadium before Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a screamer,
Despite his side’s run of seven straight victories, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has insisted they remain outsiders in the hunt for a top-four finish.
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And Benitez has warned that the Magpies, despite claims they are more likely to drop out of the top four than the Red Devils, have what it takes to get themselves over the line.
"It’s massive for both (Liverpool and Newcastle)," said Bentiez, who also managed Newcastle, to Sky Sports,
"Everybody knows that to be in the Champions League, to be in Europe, means a lot of money coming in, and then you can sign better players because they have the extra motivation to play in Europe.
"I think obviously now Newcastle United have the advantage, but you never know. Liverpool are doing really well now, but I think Newcastle United has the belief, the intensity, the organisation, and the balance that is necessary to get some points and stay there."
Before Benitez added on Newcastle, saying: "Can they stay there for a while? We will see. Obviously this year two or three teams were not at the level everyone expected.
"But now they are there and have the finances to stay there, I think they can compete in the future. The fans will be delighted."
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