NEWCASTLE: Eddie Howe insists Newcastle United are not seeing themselves as the “hunted” despite Liverpool’s end-of-season run putting their own Champions League hopes at risk.
Instead, head coach Howe prefers to see the top-four race as a battle between Newcastle and themselves, not Liverpool, as is being widely discussed.
A remarkable end-of-campaign run of victories has seen the Reds close a nine-point gap, and now trail Newcastle by just one, as the Magpies prepare to take on fellow top-four chasers Brighton and Hove Albion at St James’ Park on Thursday evening.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has spoken of chasing Newcastle down recently, but Howe is not seeing it that way. Instead, with their Champions League fate still in their own hands — a Brighton win would stretch the lead back to four points with just two games left to play, Howe thinks it is a very different mindset for his players.
And rather than look over their shoulders, Howe wants his players to look within.
Howe said recently: “I don’t feel like we’re being hunted. I don’t feel that emotion. It’s us against ourselves, really. That’s how I see it.
“It’s us trying to be the best we can be. I’ve not focused on any other team all season.
“In my experience, I knew Liverpool were never far away because they are a top team and they are capable of going on runs of wins. They are very similar to Manchester City where they can win a group of games without blinking. They have got that experience.
“For us, we can’t look at it or compare ourselves to Liverpool. We just have to look at us.”
Having been in the Champions League driving seat for so long, it would leave a lingering feeling of disappointment should the Magpies fall at the final hurdle.
That should not, however, take away from the fact it has been a transformative season on Tyneside, with Newcastle climbing from relegation troubles 12 months ago, to a guaranteed European return. Newcastle can finish no lower than sixth this campaign.
Howe accepts this final hurdle could prove the hardest this season.
“Whenever you want something really badly, which I’m sure everyone connected with the club does, the hardest bit is to actually finally get there,” he said.
“I can’t give you any more than that. There’s no science behind it. Whenever you want something in life, and it’s a big achievement, it’s not easy to do.”
On the flip side, two home wins, starting with the Seagulls, then Leicester City on Monday night, would all but secure a top-four place heading to Chelsea on the final day.
“Home soil, we love playing here, to have it in our control is great but we don’t (take) that responsibility lightly,” he said.
“It’s great having it but we have to use it, which is easier said than done because we are up against good opponents. That is the situation we would have craved at the start of the season.”
