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Lee Ryder

Rafa Benitez's message to his Newcastle United squad ahead of Liverpool clash

Rafa Benitez has told his Newcastle United players he wants full focus this week as his team prepare to take on title contenders Liverpool.

The Magpies go into a fixture that could even be Benitez's last game in charge at St James' Park IF he does not agree a new contract with the club.

However, Benitez is eager to sign off United's home campaign with a victory and won't take anything less than 100% effort from his players.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw at Brighton the attention quickly switched to the game against Jurgen Klopp's side .

The former Kop boss said: "When you finish a game like this one, you have to recover and relax a little bit.

"Then we have to do exactly what we have been doing throughout the season; prepare properly and then try to do our job.

"It is a game that will be very, very difficult for us, and will be massive for them.

"We will try to do our best job possible.

"We will play in front of our fans, but in my case in front of both fans!

"I think we have to try and do what we have done all season. It has to be like that."

Benitez was also asked if he felt sorry for Brighton after a nerve-wracking night at the Amex Stadium.

He said: "We started with the same problem last year, but we reacted really well and were safe with five games to go, which was a big relief, then we lost four games in a row.

"This season, three games in a row you are safe, but obviously for so long you were under pressure, so afterwards you need some time to be fine and to recuperate your energy.

"I was happy with the team's performance for that.

"They were playing for everything, but you are playing for almost nothing.

"We want to finish as high as possible in the table, but it's a different pressure."

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