RAFAEL BENITEZ has hailed the character of Newcastle United’s players for coming back from two goals down to claim a point at Liverpool this afternoon.

But the Spaniard admitted he was frustrated by the way his players gifted the Reds the lead just moments into the game when Daniel Sturridge stroke in the opening goal.

That was followed by Adam Lallana’s brilliant effort on the half hour and it seemed unlikely at that stage Benitez, the former Liverpool boss who was serenaded by home and away fans at Anfield, would enjoy a positive result on Merseyside.

But Papiss Cisse’s header minutes into the second half was followed by a deflected Jack Colback equaliser 24 minutes before the end of the game to secure a point for Newcastle.

Benitez said: “It was emotional. The fans, the city, the club, I have a very good relationship with Liverpool. It was emotional because the fans sang my name and afterwards they sang my name. I was pleased to have that reaction and I was pleased to get a point against a very good team.”

Newcastle have collected five points from their last three games with Swansea, Manchester City and Liverpool to breathe fresh life into the fight for survival in the Premier League.

Sunderland, who play Arsenal tomorrow, can climb out of the bottom three on Sunday, while Norwich, who are a point better off than Newcastle, do not play until next Saturday evening.

But Benitez, who has lost three of his seven matches in charge, has been encouraged by the new approach of the players he has inherited.

He said: “You never know how important the point will be. We have to do our job in the other games. The reaction of the team shows they still believe. Hopefully the next games, the fans will continue to show their support against Crystal Palace and we can get more points.

“We have to keep going. I have told the players it is important to understand that the reaction is only part of the way and that it is more important not to make mistakes and allow the other teams to go ahead at the beginning of games.”

Newcastle, who ended a run of nine consecutive away league defeats, have home dates with Crystal Palace and Tottenham to finish the season as well as a trip to already relegated Aston Villa to come.

Benitez said: “We lost at Leicester, didn’t play well against Southampton and started to improve against Norwich. We needed to show character and the belief we showed against Manchester City was there again here. We did it and that is the positive thing.

“More than shouting at them they had to realise how we have to play if we want to stay up. I said so many times since I was here, that they have trained really well and they needed confidence. They have shown confidence and character and passion. We have seen that in the last few games.”