Lampard wants same intensity against Liverpool

CHELSEA midfielder Frank Lampard has urged his team-mates to finish the title race against Liverpool with the same commitment and spirit that saw them destroy Stoke 7-0 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The thrashing put the Blues back on top of the Barclays Premier League by a single point ahead of Manchester United.

Chelsea now face Liverpool at Anfield in a 1.30 kick-off on Sunday and, with Liverpool still retaining hope of picking up the final Champions League place, Lampard knows it will probably be the pivotal moment of an enthralling season in the top flight.

Victory for the Reds would help their chances of finishing in the top four but it could hand the title to Alex Ferguson’s side, who travel to Sunderland for a 4pm kick-off the same day.

That would mean United moving ahead of Liverpool for most league championships as the pair are currently tied on 18 each.

But Lampard insists handing the record to United will not figure in the minds of Liverpool’s players next weekend and urged his team-mates to show the same intensity they did against the Potters.

“The win against Stoke doesn’t count for anything now,” declared Lampard. “Of course you want to carry the momentum through and it is helpful to take confidence into the next game.

“But if we don’t turn up at Anfield, play slow and without the same intensity that we did against Stoke, then we will lose, it is simple as that.

“There is no chance 11 Liverpool players will go out and consider United winning the title on what happens in that game. They will go out to win. They will want to be professional.

“There is no way they will think about anything else other than winning the game, regardless of whether it helps them get in the Champions League or not. They will give everything, there is no doubt about that.’’

Chelsea were rampant against a ragged Stoke side and Lampard grabbed a double, one from the penalty spot, to take his tally to 25 for the season.

Salomon Kalou hit a hat-trick with substitute Daniel Sturridge and Florent Malouda also on target.

But while Didier Drogba failed to get on the score sheet, the Ivorian striker caused problems for City all afternoon.

His power, presence and pace, considering he is supposed to be struggling with a groin problem, helped Chelsea bounce back in style from their defeat to Tottenham the previous week.

Drogba may have lost out on an individual honour to Wayne Rooney in the race to become the PFA Player of the Year but the Ivory Coast international is determined to finish top scorer in the Premier League.

“The way Didier played against Stoke is what he’s about,” said Lampard. “People talk about Rooney being missing and he is the player of the year but we have also lost players for large parts of the season. It all evens itself out.

“Didier wants to be the top scorer in the league this season, he deserves to be. Let’s hope in the next two games he will score the goals to make him that.”

Meanwhile, Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorenson could still make the World Cup finals with Denmark this summer after his dislocated elbow was put back into place without the need for surgery.