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Newcastle's Rafa Benitez: Players showing the character to survive

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez has said he feels his players have proved they have the character to win their battle against Premier League relegation.

Goals from Papiss Cisse and Jack Colback saw the Magpies come from 2-0 down at half-time at Liverpool to secure an important point.

It means they have taken five points from their last three matches, the last two of which have been draws against Manchester City and now Liverpool.

And former Anfield manager Benitez said: "We needed to show character and belief -- we did it late, but we did it and that is the positive thing.

"They [the players] have to realise where we are, what we have to do and how we have to play if we want to stay up.

"I have said so many times since I have been here they have trained well, worked hard and they need confidence.

"I told the players it is important to understand the reaction is the way but it is more important not to make mistakes and not to give teams the chance to go ahead at the beginning of the game.

"Little by little, you can see the team is better organised and with better reactions. If we can play at this level, fight with this spirit, I think we can do it."