Rafa v Shearer - Pre-Match Interviews

Both Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United manager Alan Shearer have spoken out ahead of tomorrow‘s match. Rafa has confirmed Steven Gerrard's availability, whilst Shearer has refused to confirm whether Joey Barton will return to the pitch.

Rafa said; 

"Gerrard is fit - he has been training and hopefully he will be available for the game. The team were doing well without Stevie, but everyone knows we are stronger with him on the pitch. He is a player who can changes games and is very important for us."

On Newcastle he added;

"They are under pressure and we need to win every single game. The teams that have something to play for are more dangerous.

If you are trying to win the title you have to win almost every game and when you play teams like Hull and Newcastle you know it will be difficult because they will fight until the last minute."

Shearer said of the game;

"There will be twists and turns before the end of the season but we are relying on other teams. If they slip up then we must take our chance.

We are going to Liverpool and we will give it a right good go. We are going there as underdogs but underdogs have come away with results before.

I expect we will get at least one chance and if we do we must take it. But with the players Liverpool have got it will be difficult to keep them out."

But unlike Rafa, he refused to confirm his team selection;

"Whether he will start or not, I am not prepared to give away, but it is nice to have him back in the squad because he probably gives us something different to what the other midfielders do.

He will give us someone who will run beyond the front players, he will give us maybe a pass on to one of the front players."