We need to stop Lampard, says Alonso

Xabi Alonso believes Frank Lampard is the player Liverpool must stop in the first leg of their European Cup showdown at Stamford Bridge.

The Spanish midfielder will hold no grudges against his Chelsea counterpart despite suffering a broken ankle in a challenge with Lampard at Anfield on New Year's Day that put him on the sidelines for three months.

Alonso said: "Frank Lampard is having a great season, so it's important we stop him from playing well against us.

"He has a wonderful ability to break forward quickly from midfield, scoring and making many goals for his team.

"I will be trying to make sure Lampard doesn't get control of the ball too much and when he does get hold of it, I will make life as uncomfortable as I possibly can for him.

"If we don't do that in the middle of the pitch, we know he can hurt us."

Alonso is confident Liverpool can make it to the final although he recognises that Chelsea head coach Jose Mourinho has moulded the Premiership champions-elect into formidable opponents.