SHAY GIVEN last night insisted that Newcastle must overhaul Liverpool if they are to end the hurt of their Champions League exit.

Goalkeeper Given, who makes his 106th consecutive Premiership appearance today when he faces Gerard Houllier's side at St. James' Park, is convinced that Liverpool pose the only realistic threat to the Magpies' push for fourth place and a return to Europe's elite club competition.

Newcastle are seventh going into the game, a point and a place behind Liverpool, who are reeling from the loss of injured strike duo Michael Owen and Harry Kewell and their shock midweek Carling Cup defeat at home to Bolton.

With Roman Abramovich's Chelsea topping the table and Arsenal and Manchester United in hot pursuit in what is seemingly a three-horse title race, the chase for fourth spot is all-important to Newcastle and Liverpool.

"We are missing the Champions League,'' admitted Given. "It hurts when you see the big teams on television and you're not there.

"We were all gutted to go out against Partizan Belgrade. It knocked us sideways, but it has made us more determined to get back in there.

"We would love to be challenging for the title, but we have lost too much ground. The top three have run away with it and any of them could win the title.

"The geezer at Chelsea wants to bring in more players and spend more money.

"I don't know where he's going to play them!

"But Liverpool and ourselves are probably the only two clubs with the potential to compete with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal. That's what makes this game so important.''

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has pledged to fund Sir Bobby Robson's attempt to make a double signing when the transfer window reopens in the new year, and Given added: "If we want to compete and not make the league a three-horse race we have to spend to make the team better.

"That's up to the chairman, of course, but we hope the manager can bring in two players in the transfer window. It would be nice to see a couple of new faces, especially as we only made one signing in the summer.

"The title may be out of reach this season, but fourth place is a realistic target and we are ready to fight Liverpool and anybody else for it.

"We are in the UEFA Cup and it's not doom and gloom here. But we want to be back in the Champions League again playing against the best players in the world."

Victory over Liverpool last season at St James' - with the clincher from Laurent Robert - shot Newcastle into the top four and eventual Champions League contention.

And a win today would see the Magpies move ahead of the Reds despite their stumbling start to the season.

Newcastle are hugely relieved that Owen isn't playing. The England striker loves facing Newcastle and has scored 12 Premiership goals against them.

Given said: "Any team in the world would miss a player of that calibre. He's no stranger to scoring here and it's a boost that both he and Harry Kewell are sidelined.

"But we can't take them lightly and it's a big game for Liverpool as well after they were knocked out of the Carling Cup.''

Robson echoed Given in insisting Newcastle were ready to fight for fourth place. "If we are complacent we'll get nothing," he warned. "It's helpful that Liverpool have some players missing - we have to take advantage of that.''

Robson maintains that under-fire Houllier will rekindle Liverpool's fortunes - but not at Newcastle's expense.

He said: "Gerard is one of my favourite managers. The trick is to ride the waters when they are choppy and I'm sure he'll do it.

"Early season it was us who were under pressure but I knew it was only a matter of time before we quelled the disturbance.

"Gerard has been very good for Liverpool. He's an articulate manager, and a clever manager and not long ago he won five trophies in a calendar year. Not many managers publicly rebuke their players but I'm sure he only did it because he was so disappointed.

"He'll be looking for a response, just as we were after we lost 5-0 at Chelsea and went on to beat Manchester City 3-0.

"The pressure on managers and chairmen is ridiculous. I had it at Barcelona. You just have to balance out results and win more than you lose.

"I saw all the 'Doug Ellis out' placards at Aston Villa, they win 1-0 and they disappear."

Robson insisted that Sir Alex Ferguson's heart scare hasn't put the frighteners on him. Robson, at 70 the oldest manager in Europe, underwent surgery for cancer of the palate ten years ago, but stressed he is fighting fit and has no plans to quit.

He doesn't expect Ferguson's medical condition to force the Manchester United manager into retirement either. "It won't make me sit back,'' joked Robson. "What Alex had two days ago I have 17 of every day and I'm still thriving!

"He just needs to be careful and look after himself. I'm sure people around Sir Alex will make sure that happens.

"I don't expect that medical condition will keep him away. He'll be given great guidance and I'm sure he'll comply with that."

Robson added: "I'm in fine fettle and if I had a stake in Alex's horse Rock Of Gibraltar, I'd feel even better!"

Newcastle will today be without Lee Bowyer, who controversially turned down a move to Anfield 18 months ago, with a groin strain.

And Hugo Viana can expect to be on the bench again following his "let me go'' outburst this week. The Portuguese playmaker is frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities ahead of the Euro 2004 finals in his home country.

Robson said: "We accept Hugo is not happy but Gary Speed is playing so well he can't get into the team. We rate him but he'll have to be patient."

Robson confirmed he would play Kieron Dyer ahead of Nolberto Solano, but insisted: "I don't bear grudges and I have no differences with Nobby. Dyer gets the nod but Nobby is a fine player and I need all my players."

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