No sooner has Rafael Benítez made a host of new friends among Newcastle United’s players and supporters than he finds himself having to rely on some very important old ones for assistance.

“My relationship with them is quite good, so hopefully Liverpool will do me a favour,” said Newcastle’s manager, whose relegation-threatened side travel to Anfield for a game they could do with collecting three points from on Saturday. “We have to try to win every game now.”

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Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City at St James’ Park was not what either side wanted as they aimed to escape the bottom three and consolidate a top-four place respectively.

A game marked by Sergio Agüero’s 100th Premier League goal for City – although it should have been disallowed for offside – featured an unexpected equaliser from Vurnon Anita and the spurning of an inviting late chance by the Newcastle substitute Georginio Wijnaldum.

“Before the game I wanted three points, after conceding the goal I wanted one point but after Gini’s chance I wanted three again,” said Benítez, who was delighted with his side’s new-found togetherness and unity, and knows, while their position is not ideal – two points behind fourth-bottom Norwich and one behind third-bottom Sunderland with four games remaining – is not exactly hopeless.

With Moussa Sissoko, Cheik Tioté and Andros Townsend all impressing, a real synergy was created with the supporters, leaving Benítez particularly delighted by the reaction to falling behind. “I didn’t see it but I hear Agüero’s goal was offside,” he said. “But after conceding the reaction from us was so good. The fans were behind every single tackle, the fans were pushing and pushing. There was a great connection between the players and the fans; they could see this team is fighting. The result could be better but it could be worse. City are fighting for the top four and they play a fantastic game. We have to believe. We’ve shown we can fight, we have to believe we can beat anyone.”

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Although loathe to single out individuals for praise, Benítez did afford Tioté a special mention. “I’m really pleased with Cheik, he’s doing a great job,” he said before emphasising another “great performance” on the part of the apparently reborn Sissoko, his new captain.

While Benítez also had kind words for Andros Townsend, Anita and Jack Colback, Manuel Pellegrini was more downbeat. “We knew before the game it would be very tough,” said City’s manager, whose side are third, five points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United, who have a game in hand. “We didn’t play well enough. That was not the same team as Saturday [when City beat Chelsea] but every season the race for the top four is very close.”

At least he has Agüero. “I’m very happy for him,” Pellegrini said. “It’s not easy scoring goals in the Premier League.”