Source: SKY_Sports
Lampard - No Xabi friction
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has revealed he has held clear-the-air talks with Liverpool's Xabi Alonso ahead of next week's UEFA Champions League meeting.
Lampard and Alonso have clashed in the past, with the latter suffering a broken ankle under a challenge from England international Lampard in 2005.
And then in February this year, Lampard was sent off for a tackle on the Spaniard, although the Football Association later rescinded the dismissal.
The Blues and the Reds are set to clash on Wednesday in the last eight of the Champions League, and Lampard insists there are no hard feelings between him and Alonso.
He said: "It's a good battle between us. He is a fantastic player. We've had our moments in the past but there's a lot of respect.
Groundhog Day
"I spoke to him after the Spain game when we [England] played out there, because of the red card I got before, and cleared the air a bit.
"There are a lot more important things than football and you shouldn't have petty arguments off the pitch."
Lampard continued: "It's a huge game. We've played it many times before. It is like Groundhog Day. We look forward to it.
"We know Liverpool is one of the toughest places in world football to go, especially on a Champions League night.
"Last time we got an away goal. If we can do that again we'll have a good chance."
