Lamps ready for anfield test
Frank Lampard accepts Chelsea must be at their very best if they are to come away from Sunday’s title showdown at Liverpool with an acceptable result.
The last time Chelsea visited the North West to play a major rival Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side put in a meek display at Manchester United and left Old Trafford with only a comprehensive 3-0 defeat.
Since last month’s loss Chelsea’s form has picked up considerably and they head to Anfield, for a game that can be seen live on Sky Sports 1, on the back of four consecutive wins.
Lampard recognises the need to pick up points against a stuttering Liverpool, aware that Manchester United’s scintillating form of late has led many pundits to suggest a third successive title will be heading to Manchester.
Imperative
“It’s imperative that we don’t lose but try to win the game to keep pace with United – especially having just had the boost of winning a few games and going above Liverpool in the league,” he told the News of the World.
“But it will be very hard. Liverpool are a team that can put on a performance at any time, a team that can beat anyone. I have played against them enough to know that the games between us are normally tight.
“We let ourselves down with our performance at Old Trafford. It was nowhere near the level you need to produce against a team like Manchester United.
“To give a goal away just before half-time was a killer. And then we just folded in the second half. We can’t afford to do that at places like Old Trafford – or Anfield.”
Reaction
He added: “You can’t afford to give goals away at big moments and we have to be much stronger in the way we bounce back after falling behind. Maybe that match will prove to have been the turning point for us.
“We certainly all looked hard at ourselves after that match. But we have reacted to it in the right way. We have jumped ahead of Liverpool on goal difference and now we have a massive game up there where we can try to pull clear of them.
“If we don’t play with the determination, belief and spirit which have been our trademarks over the years, we won’t win there. But if we go there and work hard, be solid and be brave we can get the right result.”
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Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has leapt to the defence of Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez following his attack on Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson earlier this month.
The Brazilian insists he has some sympathy with Benitez as the two clubs prepare for their crucial Barclays Premier League showdown at Anfield on Sunday, where a draw would give United a clear edge in the title race.
Benitez accused Ferguson and his staff of putting referees under pressure, especially at Old Trafford, and of consistently showing them little respect.
”It’s one of his ideas and I haven’t spoken to him about it,” said Scolari. ”Maybe I will at the weekend. I understand. I understand very well.
”I understand that, sometimes, when we play there (at Old Trafford) and at Stamford Bridge, I know what happens.”
Liverpool have drawn four out of their last five home games in the league but Scolari is reticent to boast that it is the perfect time to play them.
Benitez is under pressure as his contract dispute continues while he has also been criticised for his handling of striker Robbie Keane.
But while Scolari accepts the Spaniard has problems, the Brazilian still expects a difficult game.
”He may have more problems at the moment, but if you work in the same place for three years or so, you know how to react to that,” said Scolari.
”I don’t know what’s happened there. I don’t know what’s happened with Benitez. I know when we’ve drawn or lost at home, we’ve needed to change something but I don’t know what’s happened there.
”Benitez is a fantastic coach with good players. We’ll need more ‘adaptation’ than in the other games for this match. I think about my job, not his. I’ve lost 14 points at Stamford Bridge and I’m not a bad coach because of that.
”I like Benitez so much and I wish for him all the best. Not in our game, sure, but all the best in his life, in the rest of his career.
”He’s a very good coach who knows the Premier League more than me because he’s been here four or five years.”
Chelsea have yet to beat any of the other recognised members of the ‘big four’ this season but Scolari is unconcerned.
He insists his side have a psychological edge after their victory over Middlesbrough in midweek lifted them above Liverpool into second place on goal difference.
”We started the Middlesbrough game under pressure because we were in fourth position,” said Scolari.
”(Aston) Villa had won and the other teams were in front of us. For confidence it’s very good, but we know we are behind Manchester United and level with Liverpool.
”We are not better than these two teams. But, for confidence, it’s very good. We’ve played better in the last four or five games.
”We’ve won games, played better than before, and have shown more heart.”
Liverpool also ended Chelsea’s 86-match unbeaten home league run earlier in the season but the Brazilian refuses to crank up talk of a revenge mission for his side.
”Any victory is very good for me,” Scolari added. ”Here at Stamford Bridge or away. It’s a game that, maybe, maybe, will decide the direction of winning or not winning the championship.”
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