(Reuters) - Rafa Benitez's Newcastle United host Liverpool in Premier
League on Sunday and the manager said playing against his former side will be a
special and emotional experience.
The Spaniard was in charge of the Merseyside club for six years from
2004 and guided them to their fifth Champions League title in his debut season.
After spells at Inter Milan, Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid, Benitez
was brought in to save Newcastle from relegation in March last year.
He did not succeed but helped them back into the top flight immediately
and faces his old side to whom he has not lost in two previous meetings.
"It's a special game for me. It will be emotional, because I spent
so many years there, and have so many good memories. My family still live in
Liverpool, so it is my home," Benitez told Newcastle's website
(www.nufc.co.uk).
"I have a lot of positive, very good relationships with Liverpool
fans, (including) the families connected to Hillsborough. There are a lot of
connections, and it will be very emotional."
Nostalgia aside, Benitez said he is focused on ensuring his team get
all three points against Liverpool. Newcastle are 10th in the league with nine
points from six games.
"I have to concentrate on Newcastle United, trying to win,"
he said.
Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp seeks his first victory over Newcastle to
stay close to the four teams above his side in the league table.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; editing by Sudipto
Ganguly)
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