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Chelsea manager praises Gerrard ahead of Champions League semis Mon. April 21, 2008 02:49 am.- By Bonny Apunyu. - (SomaliNet) After Chelsea beat Everton last week, Avram Grant praised Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard and his comments are sure to add some spice to the Blue’s Champions League semi-final on Tuesday. Liverpool meet Chelsea for the third time in four seasons with a place in the Champions League final at stake and the Chelsea coach was full of praise for Gerrard before the first leg against the five-times European champions. "Gerrard is a great player and a great person," Grant was widely quoted as saying in British Sunday newspapers. "For me, he is the player of the year in England, and maybe in Europe because of the influence he has on the team. "I like him as a player very much and I know him, he is a nice guy and an example to others. He plays against me but he is still my favourite player and if you can bring him to me, I would be very happy." Chelsea made two attempts to sign Gerrard under Grant's predecessor Jose Mourinho and the England midfielder was close to signing, first for 20 million pounds ($40 million) in 2004 and for 32 million pounds the following summer. Chelsea also failed in two attempts to beat Liverpool at this stage of the competition under Mourinho, in 2005 when they lost 1-0 on aggregate and again last year when they went out on penalties at Anfield after being locked at 1-1 on aggregate. With just three goals scored in their six Champions League meetings, another closely fought battle looks likely. However, unlike the semis of 2005 and last year, Liverpool are at home in the first leg and will have to go for goals at Anfield because Chelsea are formidable at Stamford Bridge, where they have not lost to English opposition for over four years.-Reuters News Category: Sports Latest Headlines Latest News East Africa threatened by soaring food prices-O... Somalia: 9 civilians killed by Ethiopian soldiers i... Nigerian drug trafficker beheaded in the holy city o... Nigeria: Militant group threatens to attack oil pipe... Philippines to send over 300 soldiers to Liberia for... Nigeria: 12 killed as petrol tanker burst into flame... U.S: Man shoots three people at community college <... Iran: Fresh nuclear talks could resume- says top offi... South Africa: UN boss plans to name SA judge for top... Asia: Jet pilot could face life in prison for ‘delib... More News...