Rafa Benitez claims he has a gameplan which can end Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season and land Newcastle United a shock win at Anfield - though he admits fortunes will need to be on the Magpies' side, too.
Jurgen Klopp's Reds are four points clear at the top of the Premier League table and have conceded just seven goals all season.
Yet Benitez is looking to cause an upset against his former club - for who he still has an enduring connection and affection, given that his family home is on Merseyside and his wife has a charity in Liverpool - and believes he has unearthed a strategy which can down the Reds.
Given Newcastle's dire attacking performance during the stalemate against Fulham at St James' Park at the weekend, many neutrals may raise their eyebrows at Benitez's suggestion - though the Magpies are far better suited to playing on their travels.
"It's always very emotional going back to Anfield because I was there for years, I won trophies, the fans love me, and my family is still there, and we have a charity, so we have a lot of connections with the fans, the city and the club," Benitez said ahead of the Boxing Day clash.
"But I have to do my job. I have to go there and try to get the three points, like I do in every game, but that will be very difficult because obviously they are a very good side now.
"But still we will try to do our best. If we can do it, great, and after that hopefully they can do well - but we want to win there."
While Benitez would love to see Liverpool go on to lift their first top-flight title in three decades, the 58-year-old insists he will not feel conflicted in his loyalties on Wednesday.
Rather, given that he is so desperate to ensure Newcastle retain their Premier League status, he is plotting Liverpool's downfall on Boxing Day - and then he will wish them well for the rest of the campaign.
"Always as a manager in any team you want to win. Afterwards you can wish the team all the best, but you have to try to win your games - and I will try to win with our team," Benitez added.
"I will see a lot of friends, and then hopefully we can do well, and I will be happy if we can get something. But in terms of the city, the people and my family, I like to go there, yes, and I would like to go there, enjoy it and come back with three points - and then wish them all the best for the rest of the season.
"At the moment we have to concentrate because we have a few days and we have to do everything right to prepare.
"We have a plan to beat them and, if we do it well and they make mistakes, we can do it. With these top sides you have to do everything right, and they have to have a bad day - then you have a chance."
