Benitez picks between former clubs Liverpool and Newcastle as he makes top-four prediction

Rafa Benitez has explained why he thinks Newcastle United will still pip Liverpool to a top-four spot despite Jurgen Klopp’s side’s recent form.

The Geordies have been in brilliant form this season and have occupied one of the Champions League spots for much of the campaign.

But Liverpool – who have been having a poor season by their standards – to put themselves just one point behind third-placed Newcastle and fourth-placed Manchester United.

Being a hero at both clubs, Benitez would probably like to see both clubs get into the top four but the Spaniard is tipping the Magpies to get in there over Liverpool.

Benitez told Football Daily: “Everybody knows that to be in the Champions League, to be in Europe means a lot of money coming in and then you can sign better players because they have the extra motivation to play in Europe. So, it’s massive for both. I think obviously now Newcastle United have the advantage, but you never know.

“Liverpool are doing really well now, but I think Newcastle United have the belief, they have the intensity, the organisation and the balance that is necessary to get some points and to stay there.

“Can they stay there for a while? We will see. Obviously, this year, two or three teams they were not at the level that everybody was expecting but now that they are there, and they have the finances to stay there, I think they can compete in the future and the fans will be delighted.”

Newcastle host Brighton on Thursday in their game in hand on Liverpool and Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville think they will be in trouble if they drop points.

“I think Newcastle have been unbelievable all season,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.

“They’ve been one of the teams I’ve looked forward to watching, they’ve been outstanding. Even when they drop points it’s not necessarily they play badly they just drop points.

“But yeah I think that Brighton game (on Thursday) is absolutely huge and if they drop points in that I think there will be a big worry.”

Neville added: “Newcastle is a little bit of a wobble by losing to Arsenal and drawing at Leeds so I’d say probably Newcastle (to miss out) and that’s not me being overconfident, but I think I’d be more comfortable if I was United than Newcastle looking at it with the games.

“Chelsea away last game of the season. I know Chelsea have been awful but it’s still quite difficult.”