"RVP on par with Messi, Ronaldo"

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that Robin van Persie's form can rival Barcelona's Lionel Messi, as well as Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Dutchman has scored an astounding 38 goals since the start of this year, and was on the scoresheet once more in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in their UEFA Champions League Group F clash.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the Arsenal manager was asked if he believed that Van Persie's form meant that he could be considered on the same level as both Messi and Ronaldo, who have both been in fine fettle in La Liga so far this season.

Without hesitation, the Frenchman replied: "If he keeps going on like that, of course.

"Let him play and see at the end of the season. He is the leader of the team as well so what is important is that he leads the team to success.

"I feel he's an exceptional player and happy that he can show that. He thinks day and night about his game."

The Dutchman himself was effusive about the assists he gets from the rest of the Gunners.

Speaking to his club's official website, Van Persie said: "Theo [Walcott] has given me more assists than anyone else this year".

"I've certainly noticed it and that's why I really liked the fact that he gave me the ball for my 100th goal - it was meant to be!

"Hopefully I can give him some proper assists as well, because as a striker I believe assists are just as important as the goals you score.

"Theo's assists aren't lucky - they're proper assists, down to good movements, good actions, good final balls. For me that's perhaps even more important than a goal.

"For example, I look back at my first goal against Chelsea and don't really feel that it's mine - it's 95 per cent down to Gervinho. And my first goal against Norwich was 90 per cent Theo's - a fantastic first touch, great pace, good cross and bang, I tap it in.

"OK, it goes in my name, but that's a tiny part of the story. I do appreciate that, and hopefully I can give him and all the other guys just as much back.

"Don't forget Aaron [Ramsey], he was a bit unlucky against Norwich as he should probably have been passed to on a couple of occasions when he'd shown great movement to get into good positions.

"I should definitely have given him one ball, looking at it again, and there were other times too. If he keeps going that, though, he'll score goals."

The striker has shown an ability to score with either foot, and said: "The goals are going in and I'm in the zone where things are going well - balls just bounce in front of me and things are coming off, so why not try it?," he said.

"Everything with my right leg started when I was six or seven years old and did some training with it.

"I worked loads on my left foot when I was even younger - of course I was lucky to have some talent, but it came to life through hard work on the streets and in training.

"A couple of years later I did the same with my right. I knew for a very long time that my right leg was good enough, but when you're a left-footed player and miss a chance or two with your right then maybe people think, ‘it's his bad leg'.

"Personally I never felt that - I always felt confident, and now that seems to be coming out a bit more.

"Maybe in the past I'd choose to turn back onto my left foot, but with fitness and form you get more chances to take the odd risk here and there", the Dutchman concluded.

Wenger admitted some surprise at how smooth Arsenal's qualification into the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League has been, compared to their Premier League rivals.

The Arsenal manager revealed: "I have to be very cautious what I say.

"I think 'yes' as Manchester United could have qualified last night and everyone expected Manchester City to qualify.

"It is difficult at that level. You never play an easy game in the Champions League.

"It was a difficult group," he continued.

"When we saw we were playing Udinese [in the qualifying round] we could not bet that we would go through as we did."

Arsenal have already sealed their qualification as group champions, and will play next against Olympiakos on Dec 6 in their final group game.

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AVB: My job to turn things around

Andre Villas-Boas insists it is up to him to turn Chelsea's season around after his side crashed to a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

The resut leaves Chelsea in real danger of failing to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase.

Winger Florent Malouda claimed on Tuesday night Villas-Boas was not to blame for the Blues' worst start to a campaign since Roman Abramovich bought the club, but the new manager insisted it is his responsibility to arrest their slide.

Failure to do so quickly will test billionaire owner Abramovich's patience, with Chelsea having always finished in the Premier League top four and reached the last 16 of the Champions League during the Russian's tenure.

Almost anything that can go wrong is going wrong for the Blues at present, with Wednesday night's Group E defeat to Bayer Leverkusen the latest calamity.

Chelsea were heading for victory until the 73rd minute but conceded a stoppage-time goal to lose 2-1 at the BayArena.

That followed another late defeat to Liverpool, their third loss in four Premier League games.

Villas-Boas acknowledged confidence was low, adding: "But that's when they expect the manager to inspire them.

"That's my job. That's my task, to inspire these people and motivate these people to change our faith.

"The responsibility is mine and it's my task now to inspire and motivate them to take them to a win against Wolves and certainly after to a win against Liverpool in the Carling Cup.

"We have two games at home. We need to get the focus, concentration right, I have to inspire my players and motivate them, and we need our fans behind us in these critical moments."

The result saw Chelsea drop to second in Group E and with Valencia completely overhauling their superior goal difference by beating Genk 7-0, it means Villas-Boas' side must either beat the Spaniards or keep a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge in two weeks' time to go through.

"We will need Stamford Bridge completely behind us to get the intensity right and the emotions right for the game," Villas-Boas said.

"It's in our hands to qualify. It's a game at Stamford Bridge and we expect to do our job. That's our responsibility and we don't want to let the fans down."

You would not bank on Chelsea on current form, with their defence letting them down yet again on Wednesday night.

Villas-Boas insisted they had defended well but for two corner kicks, one which saw Michael Ballack hit the bar and the other which led to the winner.

"We left our back exposed," he said.

"So we need to focus and concentrate on these issues.

"We're all committed to this squad and to these players and we believe a lot in their talent and they believe in us, and we need to find a way out.

"When they go into a series of defeats like we going through now, we get into the details a lot, to try to get them right and we just have to continue to work and believe that the win is close."

Leverkusen's comeback ironically began minutes after the much-maligned David Luiz was withdrawn for Alex, with the home side soon responding by throwing on Eren Derdiyok, who scored moments later.

Villas-Boas said: "David was feeling very, very dizzy at half-time and sick.

"He decided to continue, to make the effort for the team, but could no longer continue."

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Anelka denies Chelsea quit talk

Nicolas Anelka has denied he is set to leave Chelsea in the January transfer window.

The Times had published an article quoting Anelka as saying his time at Chelsea was drawing to a close and that he was free to leave when the transfer window opened.

But the French striker told Agence France-Presse on Wednesday that he had not spoken to The Times.

The article in Wednesday's publication of the paper claimed Anelka, who is nearing the end of his current contract, was preparing to leave Stamford Bridge after slipping down the pecking order this season under Andre Villas-Boas.

The Portuguese coach has favoured Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge in leaving Anelka on the sidelines. He has not scored since August and last appeared for Chelsea against Genk in the Champions League on November 1.

The forward has started just three Premier League games this season and was left out of the squad that travelled to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

However, Anelka told AFP: "Following the quotations attributed to me in an English newspaper, I'd like to categorically deny having given any interview, let alone spoken about my future.

"I'm under contract with Chelsea until the end of the season, with many playing commitments."

The Times had quoted the striker as saying: "Chelsea has been the best part of my career and it's been great playing and winning with terrific guys like Didier Drogba, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda.

"I was hoping to win another league title this season with Chelsea, but now, apparently it is not to be."

It has been reported that Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua have made an enquiry about the French man's availability and are prepared to offer him a large salary to convince him to move to the Chinese Super League.

He has also been linked with a move to mega-rich Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, who made Samuel Eto'o the highest paid player in the world when they signed him from Inter Milan in August.

AC Milan could be another destination for Anelka, or a move to the United States could be on the cards with New York Red Bulls, LA Galaxy, Philadelphia Union and Montreal Impact all rumoured to be interested.

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Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool target Eden Hazard will cost €50m, says Lille president

The Belgian midfielder is one of Europe's hottest properties, with Real Madrid and Inter also keen, but Michel Seydoux insists that any buyer must meet the hefty asking price

Panoramic

Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool will have to shell out €50 million (£43m) if they are to prise Eden Hazard away from Lille, the French club’s president has declared.

The 20-year-old Belgian midfielder has attracted attention from all over Europe, his excellent displays helping his team to the Ligue 1 title in 2010-11, and Michel Seydoux admits he will be sold if his valuation is met.

“The price is €50m and this is clear in advance,” the Lille president told the press.

“We are at a time when the club is having a real discussion about what to do but it will depend on many factors.

“First, our economic potential, and then it depends on the proposals we receive.

“Nobody is unsellable. We would be able to look for solutions in the market with the money we'd receive.”

The price tag could prevent some suitors from pursuing the Belgium international, although Liverpool may have an extra bargaining chip in that Lille are known to be keen on signing on-loan midfielder Joe Cole to a permanent deal.

Real Madrid and Inter are also believed to be among the clubs monitoring Hazard.

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Liverpool's Kenny Dalglish backs Luis Suarez to overcome racism row and maintain goalscoring form

Uruguayan scored four goals for his country, but returns to Premier League action this weekend after being charged by the FA following racial abuse allegations

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes forward Luis Suarez can overcome recent racism allegations and continue his goal haul into the new year.

The Uruguayan is embroiled in a nationwide racism controversy after being charged officially by the FA on Wednesday over taunts levied against Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra during a meeting between the two clubs last month.

His boss, however, is confident the former Ajax star will continue his recent form despite distractions off the field. The manager's claims are certainly reinforced by a four-star performance from his striker on international duty during midweek.

"It's great for Luis to get four goals - I wish it was for us rather than his country," Dalglish said. "Maybe he's kept some up his sleeve for us in the coming weeks.

"He is a fantastic footballer and has been, as we have said, fantastic ever since he has come here and we are just fortunate to have him."

However, the Anfield boss refused to be drawn into the charges against the forward put forth by the FA. Liverpool indicated in a statement released Wednesday they were fully supportive of the player, something Dalglish had nothing further to add to.

"I think the statement says everything and our position has not changed. That is all we've got to say," Dalglish added. 

Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday to face rivals Chelsea and former players Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles.

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Chelsea stunned; Arsenal, Barca on top

The pressure on Andres Villas-Boas increased as Chelsea slid from first to third in Champions League Group E after a 2-1 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

Starting the game two points clear, the Blues looked set to seal qualification for the knockout stages when Didier Drogba shrugged off a pair of defenders to give his side a 49th minute lead.

But the Germans stormed back with substitute Eren Derdiyok heading home a Sidney Sam cross to equalise in the 73rd minute and Manuel Friedrich also heading a dramatic injury-time winner from a corner.

The win sent Leverkusen to the top of the group - and ensured their qualification - while Valenciamoved level on points with Chelsea after crushing Belgian also-rans Genk 7-0 at the Mestalla.

Roberto Soldado was the Valencia star as he blasted a first-half hat-trick after Brazilian Jonas had given them a 10th-minute lead. Second-half goals from Pablo Hernandez, Aritz Aduriz and Tino Costa completed the rout.

However, Villas-Boas knows his side's destiny remains in his own hands as Chelsea prepare to welcome Valencia for their final Group E game.

The drama continued in Group F where Arsenal secured qualification as group winners with a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, while Olympiacos stole a shock 1-0 win over Marseille in France.

Robin van Persie took his tally for the season to 21 with a brilliant second-half double to deny the visitors, for whom Shinji Kagawa's injury-time strike was small consolation on a night that saw them slump to the bottom of the group.

Meanwhile Olympiacos gave themselves hope as Ioannis Fetfatzidis scored the only goal of the game in France. Their win leaves them one point off their second-placed opponents with a home game against the already-qualified Gunners to come.

Reigning champions Barcelona confirmed top spot in Group H with an exciting 3-2 victory over already-qualified AC Milan at the San Siro.

Mark van Bommel's early own goal was cancelled out by Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic before a Lionel Messi penalty put Barca up at the break. Kevin Prince Boateng equalised a second time before Xavi struck a 63rd-minute winner for the visitors.

In the other game in Group H, Viktoria Plzen claimed their first win of the group stages 1-0 overBATE Borisov in Minsk. Marek Bakos netted in the 42nd minute to put the Czech side in pole position to seal a Europa League slot.

APOEL Nicosia made history by becoming the first Cypriot side ever to get past the group stages with their gutsy goalless draw away to Zenit St Petersburg confirming their top-two place.

In a match which was held up due to smoke from flares set off by the home fans, APOEL staged a classic rearguard action to claim a point against a Zenit side unbeaten in their last 12 matches.

Porto's 2-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk lifted them to within a point of the Russians with a winner-takes-all tie in Portugal to come. A second-half opener from Hulk and an own goal from Razvan Rat gave Porto the points.

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Chelsea stunned; Arsenal, Barca on top

The pressure on Andres Villas-Boas increased as Chelsea slid from first to third in Champions League Group E after a 2-1 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

Starting the game two points clear, the Blues looked set to seal qualification for the knockout stages when Didier Drogba shrugged off a pair of defenders to give his side a 49th minute lead.

But the Germans stormed back with substitute Eren Derdiyok heading home a Sidney Sam cross to equalise in the 73rd minute and Manuel Friedrich also heading a dramatic injury-time winner from a corner.

The win sent Leverkusen to the top of the group - and ensured their qualification - while Valenciamoved level on points with Chelsea after crushing Belgian also-rans Genk 7-0 at the Mestalla.

Roberto Soldado was the Valencia star as he blasted a first-half hat-trick after Brazilian Jonas had given them a 10th-minute lead. Second-half goals from Pablo Hernandez, Aritz Aduriz and Tino Costa completed the rout.

However, Villas-Boas knows his side's destiny remains in his own hands as Chelsea prepare to welcome Valencia for their final Group E game.

The drama continued in Group F where Arsenal secured qualification as group winners with a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, while Olympiacos stole a shock 1-0 win over Marseille in France.

Robin van Persie took his tally for the season to 21 with a brilliant second-half double to deny the visitors, for whom Shinji Kagawa's injury-time strike was small consolation on a night that saw them slump to the bottom of the group.

Meanwhile Olympiacos gave themselves hope as Ioannis Fetfatzidis scored the only goal of the game in France. Their win leaves them one point off their second-placed opponents with a home game against the already-qualified Gunners to come.

Reigning champions Barcelona confirmed top spot in Group H with an exciting 3-2 victory over already-qualified AC Milan at the San Siro.

Mark van Bommel's early own goal was cancelled out by Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic before a Lionel Messi penalty put Barca up at the break. Kevin Prince Boateng equalised a second time before Xavi struck a 63rd-minute winner for the visitors.

In the other game in Group H, Viktoria Plzen claimed their first win of the group stages 1-0 overBATE Borisov in Minsk. Marek Bakos netted in the 42nd minute to put the Czech side in pole position to seal a Europa League slot.

APOEL Nicosia made history by becoming the first Cypriot side ever to get past the group stages with their gutsy goalless draw away to Zenit St Petersburg confirming their top-two place.

In a match which was held up due to smoke from flares set off by the home fans, APOEL staged a classic rearguard action to claim a point against a Zenit side unbeaten in their last 12 matches.

Porto's 2-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk lifted them to within a point of the Russians with a winner-takes-all tie in Portugal to come. A second-half opener from Hulk and an own goal from Razvan Rat gave Porto the points.

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Meireles vows to show Reds respect

Chelsea midfielder Raul Meireles insists he will not celebrate if he scores against old club Liverpool in Sunday's eagerly-anticipated clash.

Meireles was a shock transfer deadline day signing, having reportedly handed in a last-minute transfer request, paving the way for Chelsea to secure his services with a £12million bid.

The Portuguese was the second big-name player to leave Anfield for Stamford Bridge over the last few months, following in the footsteps of Fernando Torres, who claimed he was leaving Liverpool as he was frustrated by their inability to win silverware.

And while Torres incurred the wrath of the Anfield faithful with his comments, Meireles has no intention of walking down the same path, even declaring he will not celebrate if he scores against Liverpool on Sunday.

"If I score [on Sunday] I will not celebrate out of respect to the Reds supporters," Meireles told The Sun.

"They were incredible towards me during my stay on Merseyside and I am also very grateful to Liverpool for giving me the chance to play in England.

"Mind you, that's all in the past. I had some great times at Liverpool but I am a professional, and my head is totally focused on Chelsea and beating them [Liverpool]."

Meireles enjoyed a rich vein of scoring form for the Reds in the first two months of 2011, netting five goals in six games, including the winner against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge back in February.

However, his goal spree counted for nothing as Liverpool failed to qualify for Europe, but Meireles is now looking forward to scoring regularly for Chelsea.

"I remember my goal against Chelsea - it was both beautiful and very important because we won.

"But finally we didn't reach Europe and that was a big disappointment.

"I want to score goals for Chelsea, although my main task here is to help my attacking team-mates.

"I'm trying, though. I'm always ready to shoot."

Meireles does concede playing under compatriot Andre Villas-Boas is slightly easier, considering he used to have difficulties comprehending Kenny Dalglish's strong accent, although he has no doubt the Scot is the perfect man to manage Liverpool.

"AVB [Villas-Boas] is Portuguese and Dalglish isn't. This is a little advantage for me because I understand better what is expected of me.

"Kenny was always very open in his dialogue. He's a Red 100% and you sensed he suffered everything on the bench that we suffered on the pitch.

"But Andre is very good as a psychologist. The battle for the Premier League is hard but to beat the Reds would show both Manchester City and Manchester United that we have a chance of winning the title.

"These three points are very important."

Meireles has made a bright start to his Stamford Bridge career, scoring one goal and laying on three assists in ten appearances.

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Reina: Suarez has filled Torres void

Goalkeeper Jose Reina believes Liverpool have not missed striker Fernando Torres since his £50million move to Chelsea as replacement Luis Suarez is even better.

Reina and Torres sat on the same bench together at Wembley a week ago for Spain's 1-0 defeat to England but on Sunday they face each other for only the second time since the forward's transfer to Stamford Bridge.

Back in February Torres made his Chelsea debut against his former club but drew a blank and was replaced after 66 minutes as Raul Meireles - now also at Stamford Bridge - scored the only goal for the Reds.

Since then the paths of the 27-year-old Spaniard and that of new Anfield hero Suarez have taken different directions.

Suarez has assumed his predecessor's role as primary goalscorer and quickly won over fans with his performances and goals - he's got seven already this season.

Reina expects the £22.8million January arrival from Ajax to match and then surpass Torres' record of 81 goals in 141 appearances in three-and-a-half years.

"Fernando is top class; Luis is as good or even better than Fernando," said the Reds goalkeeper, speaking at the launch of his book Pepe: My Autobiography.

"Those players are really special. You don't find those kind of players very often.

"The club did a good job in signing Luis and hopefully he will be many years with us and hopefully he will score as many goals as Fernando."

Torres has admitted he has found it more difficult to settle in London than he did in Liverpool and that has been reflected in his form.

In the first half of last season he scored nine Premier League goals in a red shirt but since moving to Chelsea he has just three league goals and two Champions League goals (both in the same match against minnows Genk) to his name.

Reina counts Torres as one of his best friends in football and they lived in the same street in Woolton in Liverpool before his compatriot left and Suarez moved into the same house.

And despite the striker's struggles at Stamford Bridge he expects him to rediscover the form which made him one of the most deadly strikers in the world at his peak.

"He is the same player but it is a different team so it is difficult to judge (how he compares to his best form for Liverpool)," added Reina.

"I think there are a lot of periods when goalscorers' lives are like that.

"Sometimes you do it, sometimes you go through bad spells but Fernando does know how to score and is a very good player.

"With Juan Mata (another international team-mate) behind him he will deliver more goals and will be better.

"He (Torres) is such a good player and he will be a real threat for us - not just him because they have a lot of good players that can create us problems.

"It is going to be a tough game. We have to do things right and hopefully we will take three massive points."

While the former Atletico Madrid's forward departure from Anfield almost a year ago still rankles with many fans Reina was not surprised.

Torres handed in a transfer request just days before the end of the January window and his deal went through just minutes before it closed.

But Reina admitted in his book he had expected him to leave in the summer after he returned to Merseyside as a World Cup winner.

"It was his decision. We have to respect that," he said.

"It (the transfer fee) was such a large amount of money but it was still a difficult thing for the club.

"Nothing was clear but Fernando, for me, thought he had to leave the team to continue growing as a player."

Reina himself has been close to leaving on a couple of occasions during the troubled reign of former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

However, under the ownership of Fenway Sports Group, who celebrated their first anniversary in charge last month, he views the situation much more positively.

"I am glad to be here and still be a part of this club," he said.

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'You'd have thought Fernando Torres had murdered somebody the way the poor bloke is pilloried' - Chelsea & Liverpool fans look ahead to Sunday's match

Ahead of Sunday's clash at Stamford Bridge, supporters from both sides offer their views on Raul Meireles' move, the John Terry race row and the capture of Juan Mata

CHELSEA

V

LIVERPOOL

FAN: Dave Chidgey WEBSITE: Chelsea Football FanCast

FAN: Matt Ladson WEBSITE: This Is Anfield

What are your thoughts on Fernando Torres' form & do you feel he'll ever reach the heights of his Liverpool days again?

CHELSEA: To be honest, good and bad. I hate all the hype surrounding the poor bloke – if you believe the media you would have thought that he'd murdered somebody the way they pillory him. Bottom line is he hasn't scored enough goals, but you can't fault his work rate, effort and spirit. His movement off the ball is very good and he's also contributing quite a lot to the team. Obviously we all hope he'll reach the heights of his Liverpool days, but only time will tell. Most Chelsea fans will give him their support until then.

LIVERPOOL: Obviously his early form has been widely documented and quite frankly hilarious for us. Watching him more recently though and there are signs of the 'old' Torres. I doubt he will ever quite reach the heights of those two seasons with us, but he is still a top striker. Benitez got the best out of him when his partnership with Gerrard was at its best.

Raul Meireles swapped Liverpool for Chelsea in the summer; was that a surprise & was it the right move for your club, in hindsight?

CHELSEA: It was a surprise, especially as we had been holding out for Modric – who to be frank is a better player. But having said that, Andre Villas-Boas knows him from Portugal and he's done well for us when he's played and you've got to love his tattoos and 'Travis Bickle' Mohican!

LIVERPOOL: It was somewhat of a surprise that it happened so late on. Early in the summer it looked like he'd be moving - not to Chelsea mind - but then Aquilani left and most assumed he would stay given our lack of dynamic central midfielders, Gerrard aside. Personally I'd rather he stayed as our midfield is quite flat and we are struggling to get goals from the middle, but we got good money for a player pushing 30 and replaced him with a younger model in Henderson with much potential.

How highly do you rate Juan Mata & will Liverpool regret not having signed him when they had the chance?

CHELSEA: Juan Mata is a superb player – the kind of player we've been crying out for, for several years. Wonderful skill on either foot and the ability to play the strikers through and open up the opposition defences. It's still early days but he could become a Chelsea great. I certainly hope Liverpool will regret not signing him on Sunday!!

LIVERPOOL: Mata is a top player, that's clear to see. There's plenty of players we can 'regret' not signing, the list is long. But sadly we have various mis-management issues to thank for missing out on the likes of Mata.

What's your take on the John Terry race row & his subsequent involvement for club & country?

CHELSEA: Simple. Innocent until proven guilty. Whilst racism in any walk of life is absolutely abhorrent, I think that the whole trial by media and social network media is disgraceful, and it smells like a witch-hunt on John Terry, not for the first time. If he wants to play for Chelsea or England for that matter, I see no problem. He always gives 100% for either team and until the case against him is proven, he’ll get my support 100%.

LIVERPOOL: Pretty simple. I don't care for England and frankly who does when this guy is the captain of your country? I'd be ashamed to have him playing at my club, and not just for the latest incident in his career. 

How do you think the Chelsea-Liverpool rivalry has changed since the Mourinho vs Benitez battles of the past?

CHELSEA: If anything, the rivalry is even greater, even though Liverpool didn't compete much last year. Liverpool having been such a successful club in the 1970s and 1980s, I think Liverpool fans find it hard to take to see a club like Chelsea being so successful for the last 15 years, which has led to them eyeing us as rivals, a lot of jealousy and the infamous 'you ain't got no history' jibes. It doesn't bother Chelsea fans, we've got a rich and proud history but we like to look to the future rather than the past.

LIVERPOOL: Good question. Those were great tactical battles between the two great managers. Now the rivalry is more ingrained and has become more about players, like Torres.

Is this the sort of game you have to win at this stage to realistically keep pace with the two Manchester clubs at the top?

CHELSEA: We do need to get a win against a rival having lost to Arsenal and Man United so far this season. But there is a long way to go in the season and there will be plenty of points won and lost before the title is decided, so it won’t be the end of our title challenge if we don't pick up three points.

LIVERPOOL: I don't think we should be even looking that high, we won't keep pace with those no matter what happens this season, I'm afraid. It's a key game but not in terms of chasing the top two.

Who do you think will be the key player for your team in this match?

CHELSEA: I have a sneaking feeling Torres will score!! After all he always scored against us when playing for Liverpool!! However, Mata's creativity apart, Lampard has been getting back to his best recently and has rediscovered his goal touch, so for me he is our key player.

LIVERPOOL: Default answer these days - Suarez. We've, sadly, become rather heavily reliant on him, especially in Gerrard's absence. Having said that, it could be someone like Downing who could finally get it together for us and give Ivanovic a few problems.

Which opposition player do you expect to cause your team the most problems?

CHELSEA: With our defence playing such a high line at the moment, and also a bit slow, Suarez could cause us a few problems if Charlie Adam puts him through with the right ball. He also goes down easily so I can see us giving a penalty away, oh and no doubt getting one of our players sent off!

LIVERPOOL: Torres could well cause problems.Mata obviously. I also rate Sturridge, who could cause Glen Johnson problems.


Who will be your opponent's weak link for this game?

CHELSEA: Possibly Glen Johnson – most of our attacks come down the left through Ashley Cole, Sturridge or Mata and Johnson likes to get forward, and is probably better attacking than defending, which could leave Liverpool vulnerable down the left flank.

LIVERPOOL: David Luiz, hopefully he plays.

Your predicted starting XI

CHELSEA Cech Cole, Alex, Terry, IvanovicRamires, Mikel, Lampard Mata, Torres, Sturridge

LIVERPOOL    Reina Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique Kuyt, Lucas, Adam, Downing Suarez, Carroll

Your favourite Chelsea - Liverpool memory?

CHELSEA: So many! Peter Rhoades-Brown scoring when we knocked the 'European Champions' out of the FA Cup in 1982. The famous comeback from 2-0 down to win 4-2 inspired by Zola in the FA Cup in 1997 is one of my all-time favourite Chelsea moments. The 2-1 win that probably saved the club in 2003 – Zola's last game, effectively playing off for the last Champions League spot, and then Roman Abramovich taking over a week later. And then the 4-4 draw when we knocked them out of the Champions League in 2008. I will be true to myself and say the 4-2 win in 1997.

LIVERPOOL: Has to be the 2005 Champions League semi-final. So many memories. The early goal, the atmosphere at Anfield, Gudjohnsen's last-gasp miss. Incredible scenes at full time.

Would you be open to moving to a new high-capacity stadium, even if you had to sell the naming rights?

CHELSEA: I am one who would rather stay at Stamford Bridge – it's one of the reasons why I fell in love with the club, and I would hate to give up the matchday routine and local pubs and history for a new soulless stadium like the Emirates, but I can understand those who would disagree with that. I'd rather not sell the naming rights, as I see it as yet another nail in the coffin of the game and club I know and love, but again I can see why the club need to raise the money – and rather that than increasing ticket prices. Anyway, none of us will ever stop calling it Stamford Bridge!

LIVERPOOL: If the owners have explored the redeveloping Anfield option and found it to be not possible, then yes. We need a long-term solution. Nowhere will ever quite be Anfield. As long as we don't rename Anfield a la Newcastle.

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