Rafa Benitez has been backed to keep Newcastle fighting at the top.

Midfielder Mikel Merino says Benitez and his team mates have found the “perfect” system to maximise their talents.

Newcastle rose to fourth at the weekend, after three consecutive wins.

Benitez’s men are likely to fall short of the required squad depth and quality up front in order to maintain a Champions’ League challenge.

But a dash to secure Premier League safety before creating new targets, plus an FA Cup run, is on the cards.

Jamaal Lascelles helped himself to another winner at the weekend (
Image:
Getty)
Benitez's side are doing well on their return to the top flight (
Image:
PA Wire)

Merino, 21, has emerged as a key player since his move from Dortmund thanks to his composure and passing accuracy.

Newcastle face Brighton next and the Spain Under-21 star said: “We are really pleased with our start to the season. It is so ­enjoyable for us to play matches here and of course it is even better to be winning.

“We have to keep going, this doesn’t stop. We have to keep playing with this effort, this rhythm, and ­winning if we can.

“It would have been perfect if we’d won all the matches but the way we are playing, the way the team thinks about playing football, the penetration and concentration – all these things are perfect at the moment.”

Merino has made an impression in midfield (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

Merino says Newcastle are on a roll and they don’t want it to stop with a huge test against Liverpool looming.

The Spain U21 star added: “We won’t get too confident, because at any moment this can change and we can lose. But we have the crowd and must be strong in our home.”

“We are lucky now because we are winning now and I hope this is going to be a good thing for us, we will be more confident and we can carry on and keep working.”

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