Arne Slot's major Newcastle United compliment as Real Madrid comparison made

Arne Slot has handed Newcastle United a major compliment by insisting going to St James' Park is harder than facing Real Madrid.

Liverpool beat the global giants 2-0 last week and followed that up with another impressive victory over Manchester City, but Slot is not taking anything for granted against Newcastle - despite their sticky run of form. Eddie Howe's side surrendered a 1-0 lead in the 94th minute at Selhurst Park and confidence is frail at Benton.

But Slot said today: "We know we have a difficult week coming up again and as we thought, Real Madrid and Man City were difficult to face. I think it's even harder to go to Newcastle away as well. We're not even halfway through the season yet, but it's a good position to be in. That's definitely true."

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Many football pundits and observers have wondered what Slot's magic touch at Liverpool has been since taking over from Jurgen Klopp. The Dutchman has made small tweaks but has Liverpool playing like the best team in world football at the moment.

Slot put it down to hard work, and wants more of the same at St James' Park, he said: "They all know how hard they had to work for it. If they had done this by just playing at 50% and it is so easy for us, then they might feel 'ah, we're just too good for this league' but that's definitely not what we feel.

"Against every team and no matter if it is Man City or Real Madrid or Wolverhampton Wanderers or Nottingham Forest, we had to work really, really hard to get a result and I think that keeps them with their feet on the ground."