Peter Crouch shares verdict on Newcastle clash against Liverpool

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Peter Crouch believes that Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez will be doing his former side Liverpool no favours when they meet on Saturday night.

The Magpies host the Reds at St James’ Park in a huge fixture that could ultimately decide where the Premier League title ends up.

Liverpool sit second in the league with two games to play and are a point adrift of leaders Manchester City.

The Merseyside club will be aiming to put the pressure on their rivals, who don’t play until Monday night at home to Leicester City.

But Newcastle are in some strong form with three games unbeaten and have proven a stubborn defence to break down.

Crouch, who played under Benitez at Liverpool, expects his former manager to be a stiff test for Jurgen Klopp’s team to overcome in their quest for the title.

“If there is one manager who will be able to exploit any slips, it is Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez and I can assure you now the feelings he will have for his old club will mean nothing at kick-off on Saturday night,” Crouch wrote in the Daily Mail.

“Rafa is cold and ruthless. Rafa will not have given a moment’s thought to the implications of a Newcastle win. He just wants three points.”

TBR’s View:

A lot of Liverpool fans will have been wary about their penultimate game of the league season against Newcastle and it looks like they will have to win both final matches to stand a chance of overtaking Manchester City.

Benitez has done a brilliant job keeping Newcastle in the top flight for another season and worked wonders with the current group.

They are a nightmare opponents in some respects for Liverpool to face in their title pursuit, as they will make it difficult at St James’ Park and defensively are extremely switched on.

Benitez has his team well drilled out of possession and they will have a back five that Liverpool will need to be smart to play through