FRANK LAMPARD: REDS BIGGEST RIVALS
Liverpool are toughest team says Chelsea star
FRANK LAMPARD rates Liverpool as Chelsea's toughest opponents - and not Manchester United.
The Blues have faced the Reds an incredible 30 times since the start of the 2001-02 season when Lamps first arrived from West Ham with Chelsea racking up 12 wins to Liverpool's 10.
There have been some famous victories for Chelsea along the way, including a 4-1 triumph on Merseyside in the Premier League in 2005, a Champions League semi-final win in 2008 and last season's quarter-final success in the same competition.
But there have also been some huge set-backs, including being knocked out of the Champions League semi in 2005 and 2007 and last October's defeat in the league that ended Chelsea's long unbeaten record at Stamford Bridge.
Midfielder Lamps said: "In England, Liverpool are our toughest rivals. They aren't the best team because United have proved they are.
"But Liverpool have a really difficult way of playing. Their defence is very strong and they have a lot of players who press you, even up front."
And to make matters worse for Lamps, he rates his match-up with England sidekick Steven Gerrard as his biggest battle of the season, too.
Lampard, 31, added: "Stevie is the hardest player to play against because he's got everything, he's a complete midfielder and England's stand-out.
"It's a good rivalry because we get on well and I enjoy playing with him for England. Stevie is one of the best players in the England team and in the world, so it's always nice to play with and against great players."
Lampard is used to bagging 20 goals a year for Chelsea but only has one in the league so far.
However Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti believes he will come good. The Italian said: "It was the same last season when he started slowly. He is in a slightly different position but has to keep a good feeling going."
And Ancelotti ripped into Kop midfielder Lucas by claiming he is their weak link and reckons Xabi Alonso's replacement in central midfield is not up to the same standard.
He said: "Lucas is a young player but he needs experience. He will be a very good midfielder but without Alonso, something has been lost by Liverpool."
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This article has 10 comments
I believe the reds will get a good hiding...the defence is in tatters.Chelsea to win 3-0
By keeny keegan.. Posted October 4 2009 at 2:06 PM.
"But Liverpool have a really difficult way of playing. Their defence is very strong and they have a lot of players who press you, even up front."????!!!!!????
Think he might be talking about United there. Not United from yesterday but United nonetheless.
By pete hall.. Posted October 4 2009 at 1:32 PM.
Why Does everyone seem to have forgotten that we have brought in Aquillani to replace Alonso? Lucas is a young up and coming player who has just broke into the Brazil squad but he is not yet an Alonso. But Aquillani is a proven Italian international and the best Italian player around at present. If it was not for injuries this past 2 seasons we would be talking about him as one of the most talented midfielders in the world. He is also mush more talented in attack than Alonso and has potential to be a much better player. By the end of the year we will all see him as another Benitez master-signing. He always signs well when he spends big money( with the exeption of Keane who we all know was not really his choice). Aquillani could win us the league!
By The Liverpool One.. Posted October 4 2009 at 10:47 AM.
the chelski manager is only saying what we liverpool supporters already know, lucas is our weak link, and he could cost us any chance of the league, but it would be unfair to blame him, as he is young and he does his best,im afraid it comes down to money ,the manager doesnt have the resourses to spend like the other s
By roy.. Posted October 4 2009 at 9:48 AM.
Our defensive woes are gonna cost dearly if we dont buck. Too make matters worst , Benitez is pinning his hopes on Lucas who is a far cry form Alonso let alone Mascha's dip in form . Think Chelsea will walk over us . Chelsea is more settled and looking solid at all dept .It will be a miracles for us to best the bules thou nothing gives we more pleasure see Chelsea getting whacked and the Redss moving to second place .
By micheal raj .. Posted October 4 2009 at 8:42 AM.
If Chelsea let us play we will destroy them like the mancs away last season, we are top scorer's like last season and Chelsea's centre backs are slow on the turn. Torres, Gerrard, Yossi and Kuyt are all scoring goals, everyone knows we are better away from home with more space to play. Torres has scored 46 league goals in 64 games so far and i predict a 1-3 Liverpool romp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Tgan.. Posted October 4 2009 at 8:03 AM.
He's just saying this as damage-control in case Chelsea lose to Liverpool tomorrow.
By ffff.. Posted October 4 2009 at 7:23 AM.
I think Chelsea should of won the champions league last season, but what ever my views are as no never minds, since the arival of roman A chelsea are the team that all teams want to play against to prove there worth. your a great player laps and have my repects. LFC fan.
By Anthony Trusler.. Posted October 4 2009 at 7:07 AM.
I think Carlo A needs to realise he had inherited a super squad. He only won one seria title with Milan. He is good in cup comps but not in a league race where you have to be consistant over the season.
By aman patel.. Posted October 4 2009 at 12:06 AM.
By the time you realize that Arsenal have a good squad, your coach will already had been fired.
By Dickson.. Posted October 3 2009 at 11:19 PM.