Liverpool fullback Jose Enrique admits former club Newcastle United's success this season is a surprise.

That they head into the New Year in a healthy position has come as a surprise to Enrique.

"That is true," he told the Daily Mail. "They sold a lot of players - me, Joey (Barton), Andy (Carroll), Nobby (Kevin Nolan). When you sell a lot of players, normally the team drops but they are doing really well. Demba Ba has come in and is on fire this season. They are doing really well and I'm happy for them."