RAFA BENITEZ claims he will do everything he can to dent Liverpool’s title hopes.
The Newcastle boss expects his team to deliver a top performance when Jurgen Klopp’s side play in the North East on Saturday night.
Asked about some fans believing he will take it easy against his old club, Rafa said: “We will do what we have done the whole season and that’s try to win the game.
“We play at home in front of our own fans and will try to do our best.
“It’s my responsibility to look after Newcastle and if I was on the other side, I would be expecting the opposition to do their best and the manager to try his best.”
Rafa’s contract expires in a few weeks and talks over a new deal have started.
During Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton, the Toon Army chanted for him to stay with the club.
The 59-year-old Spaniard added: “I’m really pleased with the fans, at home and away.
“Especially the fans who come such a long distance, to support the team and their manager. I’m really pleased with that.
“It’s the same as I said before, if we have any news we will let you know. Now, it’s just the game.
“Hopefully, we will have some meetings in the next week and then we will see where we are.
“It needs to be sooner rather than later, because that will be good for both parties.”
One negative for Newcastle was in-form forward Ayoze Perez hobbling off with a hip injury after scoring his fifth goal in three games.
Perez, who suffered the problem before netting the opener, said: “I’m in pain right now and it’s very sore.
“I got a kick in the hip and I couldn’t run any more.
“I tried to stay on the pitch but I wasn’t able to give 100 per cent. Hopefully, in a couple of days I will be fit and ready for the next one. I hope it’s just bruising. I couldn’t turn, I couldn’t sprint.
“I tried to chase one of their players and I couldn’t do it. That was the moment I knew I had to go off.
“And I couldn’t even celebrate the goal properly. I tried to ignore the pain and just smash the ball in but straight after I was in agony.
“I told the guys while we were celebrating I couldn’t stay on any longer. I wanted to but I couldn’t.
“I’m really pleased with the goal and very happy to keep scoring goals for Newcastle.”
Perez, 25, added: “It’s a lovely feeling at the moment, that feeling that I can score every time I play.
“It feels very sweet and like I’m playing some good football as well as scoring goals. A striker can’t ask for more than that.
“I guess this is the best run of form in my career. It’s been a great couple of weeks for me, scoring five goals.
“I’m looking forward to getting fit again and going against Liverpool.”
