RAFAEL BENITEZ senses Newcastle United are gaining momentum in the battle to stay in the Premier League, but has warned it will count for nothing unless they win all three of their remaining games.

The Magpies have given themselves a fighting chance of avoiding the drop into the Championship by collecting five points from the last three games, including draws with Manchester City and Liverpool.

While they still have work to do to climb above Sunderland and Norwich City and out of the bottom three, Benitez has seen signs of improvement and a determination to deliver positive results.

Newcastle should go into Saturday’s visit of Crystal Palace to St James’ Park in a more confident frame of mind. If they can win and follow that up by defeating crisis club Aston Villa the following week, Newcastle could head into the final day game with Tottenham sitting out of the relegation zone.

Benitez said: “I think the players have the belief now. They know we can change things and now it is easier for me to change the positions of the players when we have to: to press here, to press there - maybe play counter attack. They have a better idea but still you need time.

“I hope we have momentum now. There are three important games to play and if we can play like we did in the second half at Liverpool then fine. I know we have to improve on the ball but if we have the same spirit we can keep the momentum.

“You have to forget the table and concentrate on the next game. We have to win the next three games.”

Benitez’s return to Anfield, where he left in 2010 after guiding the club to a Champions League title five years earlier, looked to be heading for a defeat inside the first half hour when Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana had both found the net.

But Newcastle recovered after half-time. Papiss Cisse made the most of an error from Simon Mignolet and then the keeper’s former Sunderland team-mate Jack Colback struck the equaliser 24 minutes from time to seal a point.

Benitez said: “Nobody is expecting to concede a goal in the first two minutes like we did to Sturridge. After conceding the second goal the problem we had was very difficult. We had to chase things.

“But we talked about having nothing to lose at half-time. I think the reaction of the players was fine. I'm really pleased we have the point. The first half was a little bit concerning about the mistakes we were making but the reaction is the main positive thing we can take from this game.

“I changed the shape of the team. It was more or less the same idea. The credit has to go to the players for reacting. They knew we had to do better and put it right on the pitch.”

It was Cisse’s first goal since November when he headed in Vurnon Anita’s deep cross, and it arrived after a frustrating opening half when the away supporters chanted for the introduction of Aleksandar Mitrovic.

But Benitez stuck with the Senegalese striker and it was a decision vindicated; the hope on Tyneside will be that Cisse can now build on that in the remaining fixtures to help Newcastle stay in the Premier League – with his boss hoping to return to Anfield again next season.

Benitez said: “It was important for Papiss but it was massive for the team, the belief and the confidence. It was a crucial time and it made us believe to keep fighting.”

After being asked if Jurgen Klopp can lead greater times back to Liverpool like in 2005, Benitez added: “Hopefully Liverpool can go in the right direction.

“He's got great experience and is a lovely person, someone who the players and the fans will enjoy. Hopefully, next year we can play Newcastle and Liverpool again in the Premier League.”