Frank Lampard accepts Chelsea must be at their very best if they are to come away from Sunday's title showdown at Liverpool with an acceptable result.
The last time Chelsea visited the North West to play a major rival Luiz Felipe Scolari's side put in a meek display at Manchester United and left Old Trafford with only a comprehensive 3-0 defeat.
Since last month's loss Chelsea's form has picked up considerably and they head to Anfield, for a game that can be seen live on Sky Sports 1, on the back of four consecutive wins.
Lampard recognises the need to pick up points against a stuttering Liverpool, aware that Manchester United's scintillating form of late has led many pundits to suggest a third successive title will be heading to Manchester.
"It's imperative that we don't lose but try to win the game to keep pace with United - especially having just had the boost of winning a few games and going above Liverpool in the league," he told the News of the World.
"But it will be very hard. Liverpool are a team that can put on a performance at any time, a team that can beat anyone. I have played against them enough to know that the games between us are normally tight.
"We let ourselves down with our performance at Old Trafford. It was nowhere near the level you need to produce against a team like Manchester United.
"To give a goal away just before half-time was a killer. And then we just folded in the second half. We can't afford to do that at places like Old Trafford - or Anfield."
He added: "You can't afford to give goals away at big moments and we have to be much stronger in the way we bounce back after falling behind. Maybe that match will prove to have been the turning point for us.
"We certainly all looked hard at ourselves after that match. But we have reacted to it in the right way. We have jumped ahead of Liverpool on goal difference and now we have a massive game up there where we can try to pull clear of them.
"If we don't play with the determination, belief and spirit which have been our trademarks over the years, we won't win there. But if we go there and work hard, be solid and be brave we can get the right result."
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