RAFAEL BENITEZ has warmed up for this afternoon’s return to Anfield by warning Liverpool that Newcastle United are finally showing signs they can win the relegation fight – he just hopes it has not come too late.

The Magpies can climb out of the bottom three if they stun the in-form Reds today inside the Merseyside venue where Benitez remains close to supporters’ hearts for the way he led them to Champions league glory in 2005.

But the Spaniard is in desperate need of three points as Newcastle boss in the fight to avoid the drop into the Championship, particularly as fourth from bottom Norwich City do not play this weekend and neighbours Sunderland face Arsenal at the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

After watching Newcastle collect four points from their last two matches against Swansea City and Manchester City, Benitez knows the team he has inherited last month are suddenly showing they are capable of staying up.

There remains question marks over the team spirit within the Newcastle camp after a few years of under-achievement and struggle, unlike across the Wear where Sam Allardyce seems to have instilled a greater togetherness in the dressing room since taking over in October.

But Benitez said: “In the last two games we saw that this team can do it. Before maybe some players were 50/50 now they are 100 per cent committed we can do it.

"A player like Moussa Sissoko … maybe he has was an inspiration for a lot of players in the last couple of matches because he was doing really well. Maybe some players thought I can do that.

“You have players coming back to the level you expect and that helps increase their confidence together.

"I accept - not just players, fans and staff – that a lot of people thought we couldn't do it. Everyone in the city, in Newcastle, thought we cannot do this but after these two games and team spirt I think a lot of people are saying we still can do it. So we will see.”

Newcastle have lost 14 of their 17 away dates this season in the Premier League and they head to Anfield, where they have not win in 22 years, searching for a first win on their travels since December; at title chasers Tottenham.

Benitez, who has young defender Kevin Mbabu available again but remains without Fabricio Coloccini and Daryl Janmaat, knows trying to beat in-form Liverpool will be a tough challenge in itself.

He said: "It's not because it's Liverpool or the record against them, we need to get three points. I want to do it in any stadium it doesn't matter. We'll try to do the same against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, whether it's at Anfield or Old Trafford.”

It will be the first time Benitez has managed an opposing team in a competitive fixture at Liverpool since April 2013, when he looked on as interim Chelsea boss as Luis Suarez infamously bit Branislav Ivanovic.

He remains close to the hearts of Liverpool supporters and is hoping for a warm reception from the Kop. He should receive one because, as well as the memories of 2005, he also donated £96,000 to the Hillsborough Family Support Group in the immediate aftermath of his Liverpool exit in 2010.

Benitez said: “I see the similarities between the cities and the fans. It's a city of workers, the fans support the team, they have passion – so they are very similar.

“That is good for me. I've been in Spain I've been in Italy. But the experience of Liverpool was fantastic because the fans are behind you no matter what you do. At the moment the fans here, we are in honeymoon, everything is fine and I am really pleased. Hopefully it can be the same for some years.

"I hope there will be a good reception for me, my connection with the city is fantastic, my family lives there and we have a foundation helping people there but we will try to get three points.”

Benitez has also got to know Jurgen Klopp in recent years and the Liverpool boss is ready to welcome him back to Anfield.

Klopp, who made a similar return to Borussia Dortmund recently in his new role, said: "I really like Rafa, we have met a few times.

"From my point of view, if someone wants to celebrate Rafa Benitez in memory of Istanbul or whatever - he is one of the most successful managers at Liverpool - they are very welcome.

"I don't care about that. If they want, do. Be louder than you have ever been, that is absolutely OK. That is how I would say hello to a good old friend, so no-one has to ignore this wonderful moment because I am here now. Do what you feel and if it is very good, show it.”