Rickie Lambert

[Chris]

Playing devils advocate here and on the back of the recent discussion about Balotelli, why does Lambert escape criticism for his performances as for me he's been far worse from day one? I haven't once watched Lambert this season lumbering around and thought he's put a great shift in today or thought he was ever likely to influence a game. Is it because he's English, it is because he cost £4m, Is it the romance of him coming back to his boyhood club?

Give me Balotelli every day of the week over Lambert.

He doesnt, he's been criticised. Obviously been quiet on him lately because he isnt getting any minutes. But yeah, people are going to expect more from a £16m player compared to a £4m one. (And Lambert has still scored more in the league despite playing less minutes)

[Norbs]

I thought he worked his socks off today and offers far more than Balotelli. Shame that he won't get many more opportunities, hope he gets his Anfield goal against Palace

[Liverpool]

I thought he worked his socks off today and offers far more than Balotelli. Shame that he won't get many more opportunities, hope he gets his Anfield goal against Palace

Indeed, if we played this formation and a striker all season, I think they'd be higher up the table.

[Fierce]

Indeed, if we played this formation and a striker all season, I think they'd be higher up the table.

I don't think Lambert is the type of striker that the team is set up for, but to use him so infrequently considering how many he's scored in his career is just weird

[captainfog]

I don't think Lambert is the type of striker that the team is set up for, but to use him so infrequently considering how many he's scored in his career is just weird

Borini, Lambert and Mario. All bought by Rodgers but not played by Rodgers. I don't think any of them are good enough tbh but why buy them in the first place? It's a ridiculous situation.

[Liverpool]

I don't think Lambert is the type of striker that the team is set up for, but to use him so infrequently considering how many he's scored in his career is just weird

He's far from ideal, but you know what you're gonna get and he played some decent football for Saints. Having someone up there who can win the ball and hold it up has been missing all season. He's not the type who can dip in and out of the team, i'd be livid if I was him.

[Fierce]

Borini, Lambert and Mario. All bought by Rodgers but not played by Rodgers. I don't think any of them are good enough tbh but why buy them in the first place? It's a ridiculous situation.

Yeah I agree. Or kind of in that none are good enough to be in the first XI. One of them should be a decent backup, but to not play any? Baffling. It's like he's trying to make a point, I don't believe that's the case but feels like it somehow

Stupid

Although Balotelli did get a stack of chances compared to the other two. Which again, is pretty stupid

[MrMichael]

Random stat, between them Lambert, Borini, Balotelli and Sturridge have played a combined 2814 minutes in the league. Henderson alone has played 2986.

[baitman]

I know we haven't seen much of lambert but I think out of borini, balotelli and lambert he offers better interplay than the others. If we only kept one of them it should be rickie.
plus we'd get more of a fee for the other two.

[Norbs]

I know we haven't seen much of lambert but I think out of borini, balotelli and lambert he offers better interplay than the others. If we only kept one of them it should be rickie.
plus we'd get more of a fee for the other two.

I agree but his age is against him

[vlahka]

I'm still cheering him on to get a goal at Anfield before the end of the season. I want to see his face explode with glee.

[Fosterbloke]

I hope Gerrard let's him take a penalty next time

[Paul12]

Yeah I agree. Or kind of in that none are good enough to be in the first XI. One of them should be a decent backup, but to not play any? Baffling. It's like he's trying to make a point, I don't believe that's the case but feels like it somehow

Stupid

Although Balotelli did get a stack of chances compared to the other two. Which again, is pretty stupid

Borini and Lambert were bought as Plan Bs. But when you pay your Plan B a lot and they are not good enough, you can't move them on so you end up with a whole bench of Plan Bs.

[Norbs]

Too many Plan Bs is playing with fire

[DannyMan2006]

Hard to defend Rickie, he was given a chance and he didn't really take it.

His problem is that he was brought in as plan B and when plan A didn't work he was expected to perform as a starter. Shame but when a team is set up to perform a certain way it just doesn't suit certain players.