Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew would love to finish above Liverpool this season.

Newcastle go into today's Liverpool showdown at St James' Park with an eight-point lead over Kenny Dalglish's side. But Pardew admits he would be happy with a draw.

He said: "To finish above them, I have to tell you, the wine will taste nice in the ­summer. But that's not going to be easy ­because their run-in is much smoother than ours.

"I think it's very important we don't lose. If somebody said, 'Would you take a draw?' I would.

"But we will be trying to win for our fans, who are really up for it, and our stadium will be rocking.

"It might be a high-scoring game with the players on the pitch. If I have to suffer a 5-4 victory, I will have to take it!''