The Anfield chief recalls a "near perfect" display when his side overran the Magpies at St James' Park in December with a Steven Gerrard-inspired 5-1 victory, which at the time kept Liverpool at the top of the table.

Gerrard scored twice in the mauling, which was part of a 14-match unbeaten run.

Now the teams clash again on Sunday in a match vital to both clubs.

Liverpool are clinging onto Manchester United's coat-tails at the top of the Barclays Premier League while Newcastle are in the relegation zone, three points adrift of fourth-from-bottom Hull.

Gerrard, who has missed the last four games with a groin injury, is set to return to face Alan Shearer's side, but Manchester United could be six points clear of Liverpool at the top if they win at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

But whatever United's result, Benitez knows his side simply have to win if they want to hold onto any hope of landing the title - and he insists a display similar to the one which blew Newcastle away last time the sides met is the requirement again.

Benitez said: "We were really good that day. We were in control, we had a lot of chances and their goalkeeper (Shay Given) was man of the match. It was nearly a perfect game for us.

"It will be different this time because they have a different manager and are in a different situation.

"And clearly they need to win, so I don't think they will be waiting and waiting for a draw. They have quality players in attack.

"We just need to keep doing our job and we have the confidence to keep winning games. If Manchester United make a mistake then we have to be ready, so we must take three points from each game and then see what happens. We will not give up until the end."

Benitez is thrilled with his side's form at this crucial stage of the season, with 30 goals in their last nine league games proof the Reds are giving it everything to secure their dream of becoming champions.

He said: "Sometimes people criticise us and say we are a defensive team but clearly we are a team that is always attacking. When we are 1-0 up we always look for the other goal.

"The number of goals that we have scored this season shows that we are an offensive team that also normally defends really well."

Benitez has also hailed goalscoring youngsters Krisztian Nemeth and Lauri Dalle Valle.

Finnish striker Dalle Valle has hit 19 goals this season to help the under-18s reach the final of the FA Youth Cup, while Hungarian hitman Nemeth netted the winner in the Liverpool Senior Cup final for the reserves this week.

After impressing in pre-season it has been a frustrating campaign for Nemeth who has been hit by a series of injuries, but Benitez believes he has a lot to offer.

Benitez said: "Krisztian is someone that can score goals. The most difficult thing in football is scoring goals so we are really pleased with him.

"Hopefully he will be fit in the future and if he has no more problems then he is a player that we need to keep an eye on because he has a great future."

Dalle Valle has been the star of the run to the final, where Liverpool face Arsenal with the first leg at the Emirates on May 22 and the return at Anfield in the 26th.

Benitez added: "I don't like to talk too much about just one player when the team is doing well, but clearly he is a striker that has scored a lot of goals. He also has a future here.

"It was important for the young lads to reach the final and they now have an opportunity to win a trophy.

"Always the main target for the academy is to produce players, but if they can win a trophy that would be a very good experience for them."