Source: Telegraph
John Terry is 'dreading' Chelsea's Champions League clash with Liverpool
The Liverpool captain is in superb form, delivering the kind of performances that prompted Guus Hiddink to vote for him as his world player of the year. His seven goals in Europe make him the top scorer in the Champions League this season and with six goals in his last three games for Liverpool he appears unstoppable. John Terry, the Chelsea captain, admits he is "dreading" the prospect of having to try.[LNB]Gerrard agreed a two-year extension to his contract with last week and his importance at Anfield seems to swell by the game. Having witnessed first-hand, while away with England, the way Gerrard is playing, Terry admits it is the worst time to be facing him.[LNB] Related ArticlesHicks faces hard timesHiddink: Euro 96 still hurtsGuus Hiddink will want to stay at Chelsea after facing Liverpool in Champions LeagueAlvaro Arbeloa: If Liverpool win Premier League we can be bigger than BeatlesDidier Drogba would consider new Chelsea dealPremier League title run in: Liverpool throw race open after Aston Villa destruction"He's one of the best players in the world, that's for sure," Terry said. "He's in great form at the minute. I'm sort of dreading going there to play him because he is different class.[LNB]"With the backbone Liverpool have got – Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres – what a spine that is! And Gerrard is the heartbeat of the team just like Frank Lampard is with Chelsea. It's going to be a big clash and we're thoroughly looking forward to it." [LNB]As national coach of Russia Hiddink was allowed to vote for his top three players in FIFA's player of the year award last year. While Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United was the choice of most managers, and won the award overall, Hiddink went for Gerrard as his first choice.[LNB]"My focus with Gerrard was his role as a team player, and on top of being a team player he's also very determined and decisive in what he's doing," said Hiddink, who chose Lionel Messi and Xavi of Barcelona as his second and third choice. "It's not automatic to say that everything is not good about Ronaldo, because that's not true, you pick out one. Ronaldo has his efficiency and his own style, which is very attractive, but I made my choice and a choice for Gerrard.[LNB]"But they also now have a very balanced team – it's not just him, although he's very determined at Anfield, and they have some very skilful players around him."[LNB]The tie will surely present few surprises to either side – this is the fifth consecutive season they have met in this competition; Lampard says it feels like "groundhog day". But, he has insisted there will be no continuation of his personal feud with Liverpool's Xabi Alonso, having settled their differences after England 2-0 defeat to Spain in February.[LNB]Lampard broke the Spain international's ankle in a challenge back in 2005 and relations have been fractious ever since – 10 days before the Spain game Lampard was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Alonso in the Premier League.[LNB] "It's a good battle," Lampard said. "He's a fantastic player. We've had our moments in the past, but there's a lot of respect. I spoke to him after the Spain game and cleared the air a bit." [LNB]
