I expect strong Liverpool, says Champions League chasing Lampard

Reuters Videos
Updated

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

VIDEO SHOWS: NEWS CONFERENCE WITH CHELSEA MANAGER FRANK LAMPARD / FILE FOOTAGE OF CHELSEA TRAINING AND BAYER LEVERKUSEN MIDFIELDER KAI HAVERTZ

SHOWS:

STOKE D'ABERNON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - FEBRUARY 24, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

1. CHELSEA MANAGER FRANK LAMPARD WALKING OUT TO TRAINING

STOKE D'ABERNON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 21, 2020) (CHELSEA FC - ACCESS ALL)

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA MANAGER, FRANK LAMPARD, SAYING:

"It does change the face of it. I think Liverpool have had an incredible campaign, it is normal sometimes when you succeed and get over the line like they have in such great fashion that there can be a small dip, which they have had a little bit in results because they were so virtually unbeatable for a big period. I don't consider that though, I only consider the strong Liverpool that we have seen for the season that is the Liverpool that I expect."

STOKE D'ABERNON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - FEBRUARY 24, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

3. CHELSEA TRAINING SESSION IN PROGRESS

STOKE D'ABERNON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 21, 2020) (CHELSEA FC - ACCESS ALL)

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA MANAGER, FRANK LAMPARD, RESPONDING TO QUESTION ABOUT FITNESS OF N'GOLO KANTE AND PROVIDING A GUARD OF HONOUR FOR CHELSEA, SAYING:

"N'Golo (Kante) is not fit, he is not ready for this game and I am very happy to give a guard of honour to a team that deserve it, having won the league in such style as well with the trophy... I completely respect their trophy lift. I don't know, that will depend on circumstances after the game. We go there with huge respect we are competitive here, but you have to understand that a team has won the league as well and we will handle that in the right way but focus on the game."

HAMBURG, GERMANY (FILE) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

5. VARIOUS OF RUMOURED CHELSEA TRANSFER TARGET KAI HAVERTZ TRAINING

STOKE D'ABERNON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 21, 2020) (CHELSEA FC - ACCESS ALL)

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA MANAGER, FRANK LAMPARD, SAYING:

"I am not talking about Kai Havertz. I've said before he is a player of another team. I am looking at a game tomorrow that is so huge for this club the last thing I want to do is talk about a player of other teams."

STOKE D'ABERNON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - FEBRUARY 24, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

7. CHELSEA TRAINING SESSION IN PROGRESS

STOKE D'ABERNON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 21, 2020) (CHELSEA FC - ACCESS ALL)

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA MANAGER, FRANK LAMPARD, RESPONDING TO QUESTION WHETHER HE FEELS UNDER PRESSURE, SAYING:

"Not particularly. I always presumed it would be top four because I felt that was the best base point to be at. So I remained there and we are obviously still there now, we are there as a fact, so we work the same way, we don't look too far ahead considering we are coming towards the end now it is very clear what the objective is. So the pressure remains the same. There is pressure on Chelsea to always get in the Champions League and now we know that is top four, that is just what it is."

LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - MARCH 18, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

9. VARIOUS OF STAMFORD BRIDGE STADIUM

STORY: Chelsea manager Frank Lampard says he expects Liverpool to be at their best on Wednesday (July 21), despite a recent dip in form.

The Premier League winners will be presented with the trophy after the match, but being crowned champions has coincided with the team consistently dropping points for the first time this season, suffering defeats against Arsenal and Manchester City and drawing with Burnley.

Chelsea need the victory to secure a spot in next year's Champions League, with Lampard's side currently third but only a point clear of Manchester United and Leicester City. Those two play each other on the final day of the season, so a win for the Blues at Anfield will ensure they are at European soccer's top table in the 2020/21 season.

Meanwhile Lampard declined to talk about speculation linking Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz with a move to London. Chelsea are rumoured to be close to landing the 21-year-old for £70million.

(Production: Iain Axon)