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Rafa Benitez admits he is loving his current “honeymoon” period at Newcastle United - and hopes the burgeoning emotional connection with Magpies fans continues to develop for many years to come.

The Spaniard will take his United side to former club Liverpool this weekend desperate to claim all three points on only his second return as a visiting manager to Anfield since leaving the Reds in 2010.

During his six years at Anfield Benitez, who still lives in The Wirral, developed a deep bond with Liverpool supporters and fell in love with the working-class city and its passionate fans.

On Tyneside, just like on Merseyside, Benitez is beginning to sense that a similar relationship is blossoming, even though he is only six games into his Magpies reign.

“I see the similarities between the cities and the fans,” Benitez explained when he was asked whether he felt a similar connection to Newcastle fans as he did to the support base when he was at Liverpool.

“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.”

Asked if he felt loved by the Toon faithful, Benitez replied: “Even the fans in the street, everyone around the club, the staff, we have nice people, we have a good relationship.

“I’m quite focused, I have to do my job.

“Yes I love Liverpool, but I love Newcastle at the moment and I have to get three points. And hopefully it’ll be the same with Newcastle for years.”

Chris Waugh's verdict on Rafa's Press Conference

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Despite his continued adoration for Liverpool, Benitez is targeting all three points at Anfield.

He wants the Reds to triumph in the Europa League, but he is determined to claim victory with Newcastle in order to continue the Magpies’ journey towards the great escape.

Meanwhile, at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp is becoming something of a fans’ favourite, just like Benitez himself was.

So does Benitez feel any envy towards the German?

“No, no, no,” he responded immediately.

“We (my wife and I) have a foundation there, we know we help the Merseyside people, so we have a very good relationship with everyone.

“Even the Evertonians, a lot of them know what we have done for the city. I don’t have any problems with Jurgen, he is a friend. I think he is someone who is passionate.

“He is very positive for the city, the club and for the Liverpool fans.”