After signing from West Ham for Chelsea in 2001, Lampard defended the ‘blue’ shirt until 2014 and lived a thousand battles against Liverpool. This Thursday, however, the current coach of the Stamford Bridge team can become an ally of the 'network' team for a day. If Lampard's Chelsea wins or ties today against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool will become champion from England for the first time in 30 years.
The paths of Lampard and Liverpool have crossed each other over the years. The former midfielder played against the 'reds' on May 3, 2005 a controversial and historic game: the semifinal round of the Champions League, in which a controversial ghost goal by Luis García left José Mourinho's Chelsea out of the Istanbul final (1-0 at Anfield after 0-0 the first leg).
In the imagination of the Chelsea fans will always be that goal of Luis García. With the ‘blue’ team eliminated, Liverpool won on penalties what was their fifth Champions League after a legendary comeback against Milan in the final. History was repeated in 2006-07 and Liverpool eliminated Chelsea again in the semifinals (1-0 at Stamford Bridge and the 'red' team passed on Anfield on penalties).
Lampard lived a thousand battles against Liverpool as a player
Of course, on April 30, 2008 history had the opposite sign: Chelsea qualified for the Champions League final after beating Liverpool 3-2 in overtime and Frank Lampard scored the second goal of the 'blues' from a penalty. Chelsea lost the final to Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United on penalties. In regulation time CR7 put United ahead and forced overtime with his goal Lampard (1-1). Chelsea won their first and only Champions against Bayern in 2011-12.
Looking back, Lampard was in another very sad chapter in Liverpool's history: Chelsea's 0-2 win on April 27, 2014 at Anfield, with Steven Gerrard's slip included that allowed a Demba Ba goal, the other was the work of Willian. That victory for Chelsea, with Lampard as captain, left the Premier (who was already caressing the 'network' team) in the hands of Manchester City.
Chelsea, 4th in the Premier, fighting to defend their place in the Champions League, receives Manchester City on Thursday, the team that Lampard left when he left the London team. Present and past they join the Chelsea coach, who for once if he wins or ties will be Liverpool's ally.