Lampard: Why Stevie's the best

Frank Lampard has identified Steven Gerrard as the best player in England.

The duo will go head-to-head when the Reds take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this afternoon and the Blues midfielder reckons the Liverpool skipper is a class above.
 
"I would say he is the hardest player to play against in midfield because he's got everything," said Lampard. "He is a very complete midfield player. He's the stand-out one in England.
 
"Maybe when we play Arsenal and they are sometimes on top form, you could pick one of their players but Gerrard is the main one for me.
 
"It's a good rivalry because we get on well and I enjoy playing on the same side for England."
 
Liverpool and Chelsea have become familiar foes in recent years with regular meetings in both the domestic cup competitions and the Champions League.
 
Lampard admits there is little to choose between the two sides and also rates the Anfield giants as one of the Blues' most difficult opponents.
 
He said: "If you asked me who our toughest opponents in Europe have been I'd have to go for Barcelona because they are such a talented team and we have played them so many times over the past few years.
"But in England I would say Liverpool are our toughest rivals for sure.
 
"Liverpool have a really difficult way of playing against you. They make it hard for you to play, their defence is very strong and they have a lot of players who press you, even up front.
 
"We have played each other so many times now that we cancel each other out. It's always tough to play against them."