Improving striker Rickie Lambert admits to making mistakes at Liverpool

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Rickie Lambert admits to making mistakes at Liverpool, ahead of his first goal on Sunday…

He might have grabbed his long awaited first goal on Sunday during the defeat to Crystal Palace, but Rickie Lambert would be the first to admit that he’s made mistakes during his short time at Liverpool.

Reports in the Daily Star carry quotes from the former Southampton striker, who admits that he made a huge mistake when he joined the Reds in the summer. His mistake? Assuming he wouldn’t be playing.

As strange as it sounds, Lambert had convinced himself he’d be playing second fiddle to Daniel Sturridge and another big-name striker, be it Luis Suarez or his eventual replacement, who would be £16m man Mario Balotelli.

But with Suarez gone, Sturridge injured and Balotelli short on form, Lambert explains why he only has himself to blame for not being ready to step up to the plate, claiming he arrived at Anfield with the wrong state of mind.

A refreshingly open Lambert said: “When I came here mentally I probably let myself think that I wasn’t going to start every game which I shouldn’t have done really.

“Whoever was in the squad, I should have been thinking that I want to be the first-choice striker whether I was up against the best strikers in the world or not. That is what I have done throughout my career. Maybe I wasn’t in the right frame of mind when I came here.

“I let myself think that I was going to be back-up when I first came into the club but after a few games I realised I am not used to that. I am used to playing, so it was hard.”

Despite his lack of chances however, Lambert has no regrets over the move itself: “I have never regretted it. I know it was going to be a long season so I just had to bide my time.

“I think the whole thing about this being my club, it being the club I supported all my life has worked against me in that it has put more pressure on me and I struggled at first to handle that.By that I mean I put too much pressure on my own shoulders.

“It would be silly to say no I didn’t lose faith in my ability. I think I did question myself in some stages because I know the size of the club, it has taken me a while mentally to get into the right mind frame to be a Liverpool player.

“It was difficult at first but I feel I am in a better place now. My confidence is back and has been for a while. I have just been desperate for the opportunity.

“I knew I just had to wait because I knew it was only a matter of time before I scored. Now the first one is out of the way hopefully there are a lot more to come.”

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