DECO KEEN TO IMPRESS

Having returned from injury to play a part in our last two games, Deco is looking forward to his first top of the table clash in Chelsea colours.

The midfielder set the Premier League alight in his first few weeks of action, earning a Barclays Player of the Month accolade before a thigh injury prevented him from facing Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in September.

A spell on the sideleines was ended with a substitute appearance at Middlesbrough, followed by 90 minutes against Roma on Wednesday evening.

Now, he is eager to impress against Liverpool, and refuses to be too upset at missing the United game after a muscle tear in the warm-up.

'I lost this game because I was injured but the next game is the same, a big game,' he smiled. 'It is the first game for me here against Liverpool and I hope to play, I don't know if I will or not, but I hope to.'

Chelsea and Liverpool's recent histories are tightly interwoven, the two sides having met 20 times in the past four seasons, with nine wins for the Blues, five for the Reds and six draws.

The sense of occasion remains undiminished despite the familiarity, though the Portuguese international understands the contest is likely to be tight.

'I think this game is one all players want to play in, no?' Deco queried, before leaning on his Spanish. 'These games are clasico, a big game important to win because we need to keep the first position, Liverpool are a direct rival to us for the title.

'In the middle they are very strong, but we think we are too, and the importance is to try to play. That can help, and I think we will have to do this.

'They are a difficult side to play because they are a tough team and defend well, it is normally difficult to score goals against Liverpool. It is important that we don't concede goals, and the chances of winning will be better for us.'

With just three leaked in 12 games, and the likely absence of the Merseysiders' star forward Fernando Torres, Luiz Felipe Scolari will be confident of a clean sheet.

There is however still the threat of Steven Gerrard to deal with, and the England man is no stranger to Deco, who has faced Liverpool before for both Barcelona and Porto, as well as being on opposite sides in the World Cup of 2006.

'He is a great player, I played against him however many times, and he is strong, always working hard. He plays very well, but he is not the only one, all their players are good, but Gerrard is a special player.'

Please note the Stamford Bridge Megastore opening hours on Sunday will be 10am - 4pm, a change from the normal 11am - 5pm.