Liverpool manager Roy Evans last night urged his side to keep on winning. The Anfield club are now just five points behind reigning champions Manchester United and level with second-placed Blackburn.

"We have never said it was a one-horse race. And the situation has not changed after results over the last two nights," Evans said.

"Manchester United are still in the best position. But we're all closer now and we have to maintain our form to keep up with them."

But match-winner Michael Owen revealed that United's defeat at Southampton last night had lifted the Liverpool players. "It was very important for us to win, with Manchester United slipping up last night. That was a great boost for us and now we're nearer the top," he said.

Owen admitted that Newcastle had made them fight all the way for the three points.

"They made it difficult for us. They had only one up front and had plenty of men at the back," he said.

Evans agreed: "It wasn't a classic. We had to dig deep. Thankfully we got the one goal that won us the game. But Newcastle put us under pressure and we had to stand up to it."

Newcastle manager Kenny Dalglish felt his side were unlucky to leave empty-handed.

"I was content with the way we played, but disappointed that we took nothing from the game," said the former Anfield manager.

With Alan Shearer coming on as substitute for the second successive game, it will not be long before the England striker is on from the start.

Meanwhile, Barcelona refused to confirm or deny last night reports that they have an agreement in place to sign Steve McManaman after the World Cup. "The club has nothing to say on it," said Jose Miguel Teres, a club spokesman. "Officially there is no confirmation at this stage. If it were true, we wouldn't say."

Teres said he had no knowledge of the statements of the club vice-president, Joan Gaspart, who is reported to have said that McManaman's representative had agreed that the Liverpool player would sign for Barcelona after the World Cup if their coach wanted him.

Gaspart has the reputation as an outspoken maverick and such unauthorised statements are not uncommon in Spain.

But McManaman denied that any deal was done with Barcelona. "How can I be expected to keep commenting on something that has no truth whatsoever," said McManaman.