Florent Malouda has stoked the fire ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final showdown between Chelsea and Liverpool at Anfield, as he claimed that Frank Lampard, rather than Steven Gerrard, is currently the best midfielder in English football.
Lampard warmed up for Liverpool with his 17th goal of the season against Newcastle United on Saturday and Malouda insists his goalscoring record makes him stand out from Gerrard and his rivals.
Gerrard has been mentioned as a contender for the PFA Player of the Year award but Malouda is in no doubt as to which player he would rather have in his side.
He told Sky Sports News: "Who is best midfielder in the Premier League? For me it is Frank Lampard. I would never say Steven Gerrard.
"Frank is so special because he is always focused on the opposition goal. He is always running and full of energy.
"But his game is not just about scoring goals. He comes from deep positions and that is why it is very difficult to keep him quiet.
"He is always moving and always seems to score. He is running midfield but seems to have the mentality of a striker. He is never happy if he doesn't score."
The 26-year-old winger believes Lampard’s heavyweight clash with Gerrard will be key in the quarter-final, but be knows full well it will not be the only important battle on the pitch.
The Frenchman added: "Liverpool last season in the Champions League semi-final he was really important for us.
"He is full of confidence and has the freedom to play and can make the difference. That fight with Gerrard will be one of the keys but it won't be the only battle out there.
"Against Liverpool every player has to make the difference but the game coming up is very exciting.
"We have to put every challenge in and show a lot of discipline. It will be really tight because there are world class players in every position.
"We have to keep our discipline in both games and that will get us through."
Lampard warmed up for Liverpool with his 17th goal of the season against Newcastle United on Saturday and Malouda insists his goalscoring record makes him stand out from Gerrard and his rivals.
Gerrard has been mentioned as a contender for the PFA Player of the Year award but Malouda is in no doubt as to which player he would rather have in his side.
He told Sky Sports News: "Who is best midfielder in the Premier League? For me it is Frank Lampard. I would never say Steven Gerrard.
"Frank is so special because he is always focused on the opposition goal. He is always running and full of energy.
"But his game is not just about scoring goals. He comes from deep positions and that is why it is very difficult to keep him quiet.
"He is always moving and always seems to score. He is running midfield but seems to have the mentality of a striker. He is never happy if he doesn't score."
The 26-year-old winger believes Lampard’s heavyweight clash with Gerrard will be key in the quarter-final, but be knows full well it will not be the only important battle on the pitch.
The Frenchman added: "Liverpool last season in the Champions League semi-final he was really important for us.
"He is full of confidence and has the freedom to play and can make the difference. That fight with Gerrard will be one of the keys but it won't be the only battle out there.
"Against Liverpool every player has to make the difference but the game coming up is very exciting.
"We have to put every challenge in and show a lot of discipline. It will be really tight because there are world class players in every position.
"We have to keep our discipline in both games and that will get us through."
