Chelsea-Liverpool Preview

Apr 30, 2010 - 3:39 PM ALEX CROOK STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Steven Gerrard has warned Chelsea his Liverpool side are ready to put a serious dent in their title charge at Anfield on Sunday \2013 to keep their slim Champions League hopes alive.

A Liverpool win would hand the initiative in the title race to bitter rivals Manchester United \2013 and possibly clear a path for the Red Devils to break Liverpool's record of 18 championships.

But Gerrard insists the Reds are focusing on winning the game to boost their own flagging European hopes above all else.

Gerrard said: "We have got a couple of games left now and all we can be concerned with is taking maximum points to see if we can get into fourth through the back door.

"If we take maximum points, who knows? The teams above us might slip up. All we have done is keep the pressure on those above us.

"We are underdogs for fourth, but we have also got the added pressure of Everton breathing down our necks and we certainly do not want them finishing above us."

Lucas is set to make way for Maxi Rodriguez in Liverpool's only change as Rafa Benitez looks to pick up his dejected side after they crashed out of the Europa League at the hands of Atletico Madrid in midweek.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is also expecting a wounded Liverpool to make life difficult for the in-form Blues.

Lampard, who notched his 20th league goal of the season in the 7-0 mauling of Stoke last week, said: "There is no chance that eleven Liverpool players can go out and consider Man United winning the championship in that game.

"They go out to win the game. You would not be professional otherwise but they are professional. The manager is professional, the players are.

"There is no way they will think about anything other than winning the game regardless of whether it gets them in the Champions League next year or not as well.

"We know that they will not back down so we have to push it. We have to focus on ourselves and keep winning our games.

"That is how we can win the Premier League title. We cannot expect United to give us the title or Liverpool to roll over."

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is expected to keep faith with the same side who embarrassed Stoke last weekend as his side look to take a step closer to title glory.

Ancelotti said: "We have to pay attention because Liverpool are a strong team and it's very difficult to win at Anfield, but we have to try. We need to have three more points after Sunday. I am pleased to play first but I said we have one more point than United.

We have to play against fantastic players in a very difficult stadium, a very difficult atmosphere, because we know how the supporters of Liverpool support the team."