Rafa Benitez insists Newcastle United will go flat out at St James' Park on Saturday night in a bid to wreck Liverpool's title dream.
The former Anfield boss shrugged off suggestions that he would rather his old club took the spoils so they can beat Manchester City to the top-flight crown.
Liverpool find themselves a point behind City with two games remaining and must win in the North East in order to crank up the pressure on Pep Guardiola's side, who face Leicester City on Monday night.
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“I am very clear,” Benitez said.
“We are professional. My relationship with Liverpool is there. But at the same time when I go to play against them with someone else, we have to do our job.
“(Jurgen) Klopp would do the same in the same position. We have 52,000 fans and we want to do it.
“I have friends at Liverpool but also at Man City. I have a good relationship with both Guardiola and Klopp. I didn’t want to talk with anyone at any of those clubs this week in case you asked the question!”
Newcastle beat Man City at St James' back in January – the last time Guardiola's men dropped any points.
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The Toon have enjoyed a decent run of form to pull away from the drop zone, but Benitez was impressed by how Liverpool performed in their midweek Champions League defeat to Barcelona.
"They are having a great season," Benitez added.
"You could see against Barcelona that they were in control until (Lionel) Messi decided it had to be different.
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"Everything about Liverpool now is that they are doing great. They are favourites but, if we do everything right, we have a chance.
"Our season has been special because we didn’t start well against top sides. But little by little we have improved and we are better at home than away now.
"We were lucky enough to stop City at home. But like City, Liverpool are favourites. We will have our chances, but even if we are at our best they might win. We have to take our chances."
