Rafa Benitez’s Premier League newcomers fed off scraps for long periods of the game as the visitors hogged possession.
But forward Perez is convinced the point Newcastle eked out proved they can live with the best.
“Most people were probably expecting us to lose that game but all of us gave everything to make sure we didn’t,” said the Spaniard.
“The team showed a good side to our character.
“We knew we were going to suffer in some minutes because they move the ball around so well.
“They have pace on the wings so it was hard. Sometimes, we had to dig deep and wait for a chance to counter-attack but we stuck to the game plan and fortunately it worked.”
After losing their opening two games, Newcastle are now ninth on 10 points – a position Perez feels is cause for satisfaction.
“I think that’s a good number,” he added. “It could have been even better but had we been offered this at the start of the season, we would have taken it.
“We have to keep growing and improving but we have shown that we are comfortable at this level.
“We’ve had a few different tests but we showed against Liverpool that we can handle ourselves against a top side.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle insist that despite the presence of Amanda Staveley at the game, there have no talks between the 44-yearold businesswoman and owner Mike Ashley.
And they stress Staveley, who runs a £24m private equity fund and was involved in Sheikh Mansour’s purchase of Manchester City in 2008, was at the game in an unofficial capacity.
Ashley, however, is actively looking to sell the club, which he values at £380m, and at least two interest parties have signed non-disclosure agreements – often seen as a prelude to takeover talks.
