LIVERPOOL will not be handed anything on a plate when they take on Newcastle in the Premier League next weekend.
That is the view of former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, who thinks that Toon boss Rafa Benitez will not want to give them anything.
The Reds are looking to win a first ever Premier League title and a first top flight title for 29 years.
And they are running current champions Manchester City right down to the wire with just three games to go.
But City have wrestled back the initiative with two hard fought wins over Tottenham and Manchester United in recent days.
They are now one point ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s men with games against Leicester, Burnley, and Brighton to come.
Liverpool still have to play Huddersfield at home and Wolves at home, as well as the trip to St James Park.
And Shearer thinks that they could find life tough at his former side, especially because the game falls in the middle of Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final double-header with Barcelona.
He also thinks that former Liverpool boss Benitez will not want to do any favours for his old charges.
“Believe me, Rafa will not want to give Liverpool anything”
“It is going to be very difficult for Liverpool to win the Premier League title now," he told Premier League Today.
“Manchester City have won 11 games on the spin now and I think they will go onto win it, they will probably win all three of their remaining games.
“That in itself tells you the standard of football that we have witnessed over this season.
“To have to win their last 14 games with a total of 98 points to win the title and Liverpool will do the same shows you.
“The one game that you would look for Liverpool is Newcastle because it is in between the Champions League semi-final.
“And I keep hearing people saying that Rafa Benitez will want Liverpool to win the league.
“Believe me, Rafa will not want to give Liverpool anything.”
Liverpool visit Newcastle on Saturday, May 4.