Friday 10 March 2017 23:57, UK
Rafa Benitez says Newcastle are a "very similar" club to Liverpool, and is hoping to bring the same success he had on Merseyside.
The 56-year-old former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss will mark a year in charge of Newcastle at St James' Park on Saturday when his side take on Fulham.
Despite suffering relegation to the Sky Bet Championship shortly into his role, Benitez is looking to build a similar Newcastle legacy to the one he had at Anfield.
Asked if Newcastle is closer to Liverpool in terms of the reception he has had there compared to anywhere else he has worked, Benitez said: "Yes, it's very similar in a lot of things.
"I was there [at Liverpool] six years and we won the Champions League in the first year and we played in the final of the League Cup at this time, so the adoration was growing and growing.
"After, we were in another final, so we had won four titles and three finals at Liverpool and semi-finals or whatever, so that was massive.
"But it's very similar, so hopefully we can do well and we will have the same number of years and trophies."
Benitez delighted Newcastle supporters - and surprised many onlookers last summer - when he opted to remain on at the club in the wake of relegation.
Despite preferring to concentrate on Newcastle's next game at hand when asked about his long-term ambitions, Benitez has a strong rapport among fans, who he joked he has a similar language barrier with as the Liverpool supporters.
"I don't understand the Scousers when they talk fast, but I have an advantage, which is that I have been there for years," said Benitez.
"But also my daughter, the little one, she talks very fast with a Scouse accent and my friends are Scousers. I couldn't understand my daughter at the beginning when she would say, 'Give me my butty'. 'What? Oh sandwich, fine'. I didn't know.
"But when she talks quickly, after she says, 'Tell Daddy that I want to say this...'."
