Anelka rallying cry: Chelsea must beat Liverpool to keep title dream alive

22 January 2009 17:34
Focused: Anelka says Chelsea cannot afford to drop points against their title rivals Nicolas Anelka has warned his Chelsea team mates they must stop dropping points against title rivals if they want to be crowned champions at the end of the season. Chelsea are only two points off the top of the table, but have taken just one point from four Premier League games against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. And Anelka believes Chelsea must beat Liverpool when they visit Anfield on February 1 if they want to stay in the title race. 'We're two points off United and Liverpool, the race is very open,' he said. 'But it is a very hard race. Up until now we've had bad games against United, Liverpool and Arsenal. It's obvious that we can't continue dropping points against our direct rivals, otherwise we can say goodbye to the title. 'On February 1 at Anfield we have to absolutely beat Liverpool.' The France striker also predicted a tough game in the Champions League against Italian giants Juventus next month. Chelsea host Claudio Ranieri's team at the end of February before travelling to Turin on March 10. 'It's going to be a very tough match, Juve are a really top team,' Anelka told Gazzetta dello Sport. 'Against Italian sides it's always hard, tactically they're the best in Europe. 'If Chelsea don't find their feet, don't score a goal, we will be risking a lot. We have to score in the first leg, and especially not concede, so we can play for it all in Turin. 'Juve are right up there with Inter. (Alessandro) Del Piero is an inexhaustible talent. (Pavel) Nedved, (Gianluigi) Buffon - all of them. 'To beat this Juve, Chelsea have to put the maximum effort in.' English and Italian sides face each other in three of the eight quarter-finals and Anelka believes Manchester United and Arsenal will also progress against Inter Milan and Roma. 'If I had to bet though I think it will end 3-0 to the English sides. Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal will all progress. Just look at history.'   More... Sensitive Chelsea berate fans for criticising boss Scolari Chelsea boss Scolari plans new bid for unhappy Robinho as City look to offer Drogba an escape route CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB  

Source: Daily_Mail