Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has indicated that he is more worried about Liverpool’s attack than concentrating on their perceived weaknesses at the back.
Liverpool will travel to Tyneside this weekend to take on Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Sunday as they look to keep pace with the Manchester clubs in the Premier League.
Benitez believes Jurgen Klopp has been doing a very good job and indicated that Liverpool’s defensive frailties have been overstated, especially with their attack firing on all cylinders.
He feels his Newcastle team will have to remain solid at the back to keep Liverpool at bay on Sunday.
Benitez said in a press conference: "I have met Jurgen Klopp at UEFA coaches meetings. He is a great manager doing a good job. Hopefully Liverpool play well after this game.
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"People say Liverpool are weak in defence but they are strong in attack.
"We need to be strong, be solid, don’t give them a chance to create.”
Benitez won the Champions League at Liverpool and while his time at Anfield didn’t end on the best of terms, he remains a special manager for most of the Reds faithful.
And the current Newcastle boss also admits that Liverpool as a city and a club remain special, but he wants to concentrate on getting a result against the Reds on Sunday.
“It’s a special game for me. It will be emotional. At the same time, we will try our best and will try to win.
“My family still lives [on Merseyside] and there are a lot of connections, but I have to focus on Newcastle United.”
