Mikel Merino insists Newcastle are aiming to bounce back from defeat to Liverpool in the right way by beating Southampton on Saturday.
The Magpies succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Anfield after goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane either side of half-time, leaving Rafa Benitez’s side 16th in the table and perilously close to the relegation zone.
Relegation rivals Southampton – a place and a point below Newcastle – make the long trip to St James’ Park in what can only be described as a must-win game for both sides.
And Merino, who returned to the starting XI at the weekend in Jonjo Shelvey’s absence, says the Magpies are aiming for victory against the Saints ahead of a three-week break before another crucial home clash against Huddersfield at the end of March.
“After that game, we have a three-week break and it is always good to pick up a good result at a time like that,” the Spain under-21 international told the Chronicle.
“If you have a defeat, you have a lot of time to dwell on it. It is the worst thing to do because you have so much time to think about it, but we have no intention of losing it.
“We want to go into the break with a good mentality. Every game is important and we try to approach every one with the same mentality – but maybe the next two games at home are a little bit easier than this one.
“Those teams are maybe not at the high level of Liverpool but we know the way we have to play is the same as we played against Manchester United and Bournemouth.”
