Frank
Lampard has shrugged off suggestions from Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp that
his Chelsea side are favourites to win the Premier League this season.
The Blues are unbeaten in nine league games following their 3-1 victory over
Leeds at Stamford Bridge and no other side has gone longer this campaign
without tasting defeat.
That run of form led to Klopp, whose side are second only to Tottenham on
goal difference, to identify Chelsea as his pick for the championship this
season, because they have "the biggest squad and great players playing well
together after a rusty start".
But Lampard feels the fact Liverpool - and Manchester City - have more
experienced squads makes those two teams the front-runners to win the
top-flight title this season.
"I'm not sure anyone actually went for it," he said of Klopp's comments.
"Liverpool and Manchester City seem to be pretty much everyone's favourites
and rightly so with the form they have had over the past three or four years
and how they have built up their squads.
"Even with injuries, you look at the squad Liverpool put out last night with
players missing and it's a very good side. Tottenham and Manchester United
are in the frame too.
"It's his opinion and he is entitled to it but I think it's clear where we
are at - we are in good form but we have players who have just come into
this league or younger players.
"Some teams like Liverpool and City have had success with very established
Premier League players who have been performing to a high standard for
several years.
"We are trying to get there and reach that and that is going to take lots of
consistency over the coming months."
Lampard also confirmed forward Hakim Ziyech will have a scan on his
hamstring injury on Monday, while goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and young
midfielder Billy Gilmour will start Tuesday's Champions League group game
against Krasnodar.
Kepa saw his place in the Chelsea starting line-up taken by Edouard Mendy in
September but will be rewarded for his work behind the scenes with a
starting role against the Russian Premier League side at Stamford Bridge.
"It's different for goalkeepers because they have to be patient if they are
not starting games," he said.
"Kepa has trained very well and I have explained to him he will have periods
like this in his career.
"He has been very supportive of Edu and he is someone who is training really
well - that's the thing I look at because of the nature of it.
"Goalkeepers can't train alone, they have to work with each other and his
attitude has been spot on. He has trained well and he deserves to play."
top