Chelsea captain John Terry believes the partnership of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres is currently one of the best in world football.
Liverpool play host to the Londoners in the first-leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie at Anfield tomorrow and Terry admits he is concerned by the threat the double act pose to his side's European aspirations.
"They're up there with the very best in the world," the Blues skipper told reporters at a press conference when asked about the Anfield strike pair.
"Stevie is a world-class player and he's in great form at the moment. He links up very well from midfield and bombs on behind the defence.
"He's scored some great goals and supplies a lot of assists for Torres and the people around him.
"Torres poses a great threat to all defenders. We've seen over the past two years he is definitely one of the best in the world.
"As a defence we have to be very organised and not focus too much on just one of them because if we were to focus on Stevie, Torres will do the damage and the same the other way. Collectively we have to try and keep them both at bay."
Despite acknowledging the danger of Gerrard and Torres, Terry has warned his teammates they can ill-afford to underestimate the attacking menace of other members of Liverpool's squad.
He added: "You can't pinpoint one player to be their main danger. They've got three or four.
"Liverpool have got a great spine in their team with Reina, Carragher, Stevie and Torres as well as the likes of Alonso. They've got a fantastic squad.
"They're playing very well at the moment, similar to us. It's going to be a difficult game on a very big occasion and we're hoping we can be the team who comes out on top."
Terry does not believe the outcome of the tie will have any negative bearing on either side's Premier League title challenge.
"Whichever team is knocked out will really focus on the Premier League, while the other team will carry the momentum and push on in both competitions, so it works both ways," said the defender.
"One thing is for sure, both teams are really pushing Manchester United and pushing them all the way. United know ourselves and Liverpool are right behind them."
Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink claims his team will go in search of an away goal to take back to Stamford Bridge.
"We will not sit back and wait until we are overcome," he asserted. "That is not the way to play football. That's not my philosophy or the team's concept.
"We will not just wait. Wherever we can, we will try and take the initiative."
Hiddink feels the winner of the tie will be decided by the performance of the players and not the managers.
"The players know each other very well, so there are no secrets," said the Blues' coach.
"It's been said the managers will have to come up with something extra, but I think this is exaggerated. The manager does not play, it is the players who execute his plans.
"We have our plan, they have theirs and in the end it will be up to the players to deliver."
"They're up there with the very best in the world," the Blues skipper told reporters at a press conference when asked about the Anfield strike pair.
"Stevie is a world-class player and he's in great form at the moment. He links up very well from midfield and bombs on behind the defence.
"He's scored some great goals and supplies a lot of assists for Torres and the people around him.
"Torres poses a great threat to all defenders. We've seen over the past two years he is definitely one of the best in the world.
"As a defence we have to be very organised and not focus too much on just one of them because if we were to focus on Stevie, Torres will do the damage and the same the other way. Collectively we have to try and keep them both at bay."
Despite acknowledging the danger of Gerrard and Torres, Terry has warned his teammates they can ill-afford to underestimate the attacking menace of other members of Liverpool's squad.
He added: "You can't pinpoint one player to be their main danger. They've got three or four.
"Liverpool have got a great spine in their team with Reina, Carragher, Stevie and Torres as well as the likes of Alonso. They've got a fantastic squad.
"They're playing very well at the moment, similar to us. It's going to be a difficult game on a very big occasion and we're hoping we can be the team who comes out on top."
Terry does not believe the outcome of the tie will have any negative bearing on either side's Premier League title challenge.
"Whichever team is knocked out will really focus on the Premier League, while the other team will carry the momentum and push on in both competitions, so it works both ways," said the defender.
"One thing is for sure, both teams are really pushing Manchester United and pushing them all the way. United know ourselves and Liverpool are right behind them."
Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink claims his team will go in search of an away goal to take back to Stamford Bridge.
"We will not sit back and wait until we are overcome," he asserted. "That is not the way to play football. That's not my philosophy or the team's concept.
"We will not just wait. Wherever we can, we will try and take the initiative."
Hiddink feels the winner of the tie will be decided by the performance of the players and not the managers.
"The players know each other very well, so there are no secrets," said the Blues' coach.
"It's been said the managers will have to come up with something extra, but I think this is exaggerated. The manager does not play, it is the players who execute his plans.
"We have our plan, they have theirs and in the end it will be up to the players to deliver."
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