Ruling in Europe is our main priority now, says Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard and Michael Essien are still feeling the pain from that wet May night and neither will be happy unless they win Europe's top club competition - in fact, winning in Rome has become more important than regaining the Premier League title.

Chelsea go into their quarter-final first leg against Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow sitting third in the Premier League, four points behind leaders United, and with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

But victory over Rafael Benitez's side would leave them tantalizingly close to achieving owner Roman Abramovich's ultimate dream of turning the club into European champions for the first time in their history.

"It probably is our best hope," admitted Lampard (right, after last year's final). "I will never give up on the League but in just four games we could be in the final of the Champions League and it's something the club is desperate to win. We'll keep fighting in the League but the Champions League is huge for us. We want to show and prove we can do it."

It is a sentiment echoed by Essien, who has returned to the starting line-up after six months out with injury at just the right time for Guus Hiddink's team.

He said: "With the Premier League, we just have to win and see what happens but like every member of the squad, I want to win the Champions League, especially after how close we were last season."

Former manager Avram Grant, who was fired despite leading Chelsea to Moscow, also believes the hurt all the team felt will drive them on to win the trophy this time around.

He said: "I saw the faces of the players in the dressing room after we lost to United in the final last season. They were hurting badly and I said at the time they would come back and win the trophy."

Chelsea thought they were certain to win it after finally beating Liverpool in the semi-final at the third attempt last season. Their success was built on securing a 1-1 draw in the first leg away from home and Essien believes they will have to score at Anfield again to progress.

He said: "As the away team, if we score at Anfield, we give ourselves a great chance. Some say the fixture is becoming boring because we have had to play Liverpool every season for some time now, but we must accept it."

Having beaten Liverpool in a hard-fought semi-final in last year's competition, Lampard believes Chelsea head for Merseyside this time with no fear.

"It's a massive game and we know going to Liverpool is tough," he added. "But we know what to expect. Last time we got an away goal, if we can do that again we'll have a good chance."

The only problem for Chelsea is that since knocking out Liverpool last season they have found Benitez's side a much tougher nut to crack in domestic competition.

Liverpool triumphed 2-0 at Anfield in the League and, more importantly, also ended Chelsea's long unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge when they won 1-0 there with a own goal from Jose Bosingwa. It's a result that many people believe was pivotal in Chelsea's season - and one that hastened the departure of manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

But Lampard said: "I don't agree. To me it was just another defeat - like we lost to Man United away and to Arsenal at home.

"I don't think they are the results that have put us where we are in the League. The results that have put us there are drawing against Hull, Fulham and West Ham at home."

Fortunately for Chelsea they don't have to play Liverpool at home in the first leg in Europe. They head to Anfield first, just as they did last year when they drew 1-1 before winning 3-2 at Stamford Bridge.

And Chelsea's hopes have been boosted after striker Didier Drogba returned to training.

Drogba, who has scored four goals in his last seven games, was in danger of missing the first leg after injuring his ankle last Thursday. But the striker came through yesterday's session unscathed and is now set to start up front, with Nicolas Anelka resuming his role on the left.

Chelsea still have concerns over right-back Bosingwa, who has a hamstring problem. But it is the return of Drogba that will put fear into Liverpool having scored two of the goals that secured a 4-3 victory on aggregate in the semi-final last season.

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina said: "I think Drogba is becoming stronger and stronger. He's been having some injury problems in the last months but now he's scoring goals.

"He's scored four or five in the last six games and whoever plays in front, it will be difficult to stop them."