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Lampard: Ready for battle

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Frank Lampard feels that it would be unwise for Chelsea to go in search of revenge against Liverpool.

The Blues have suffered heartbreaking semi-final defeats against the Reds on two previous occasions, and will come face-to-face with their old adversaries once again in the last four of this year's competition.

The all-important difference this time around could be that the crucial second leg of the encounter will be at Stamford Bridge, as opposed to the intimidating surroundings of Anfield.

Lampard certainly feels that home advantage could play a vital role in the outcome of the tie, and is confident that the Avram Grant's side can reach their first Champions League final.

Motivation

"The last two times we played we got knocked out but that will have no bearing on this semi-final," said Lampard.

"To go into a game with revenge on your mind is not the right emotion to take into a game.

"Champions League is very much about keeping your head and concentrating for the whole 90 minutes in both legs. I don't think it is about revenge, it is about the golden carrot of getting to the final.

"I am sure Liverpool will have the same motivation to get to the final.

"They are not going to win the league this year and we are still fighting for that. They are fighting all on one front.

Accomplished

"We will both have a lot of motivation to get there. But, I won't lie, it would be great to get to the final this year.

"In the semi-final, you can't dictate who you play against. We have had some disappointing moments against them and they are a very accomplished Champions League team.

"They will have the added benefit of not having to go for it in the league as they look pretty secure in fourth place.

"It will be a tough tie. Maybe going up their first can be a bonus. But it only helps if you get the right result.

"If you give yourself a mountain to climb, it won't help. In modern-day Champions League, the away goal seems to become more and more important.

Concentrate

"So we have to go there with a positive attitude and try and get an away goal and then bring them back here, which will be different to the last two times we have played them.

"To lose a semi-final is very disappointing but the more experience you get in football, you realise that there will be bad nights and you can't win everything.

"The most important thing is to learn from them and correct it in the future and hopefully we will get a chance to do that.

"Losing is the worst thing you can do but you know how Liverpool are going to play. They have a very good recipe in Champions League football.

"They are very organised and are a big threat going forward. It hasn't worked well for them in the league but in the Champions League it has been very impressive. We have to make sure we concentrate and don't switch off for any minute."

Togetherness

Chelsea remain very much in the hunt for a domestic and European double at present, and Lampard feels that is testament to the spirit within the camp after a season plagued by managerial upheaval and injuries to key players.

"I think it says a lot because it has been difficult," he said.

"We have had to concentrate on ourselves on the pitch because so many things have been happening off the pitch, injuries and things out of our hands and so credit to the squad as a whole for coming through a difficult period and at times unnoticed in the league race.

"We have kept on going in the Champions League and that is very much down to the spirit and togetherness of the club. We just need to carry that on for another month."