• Premier League

Lambert to ask for extra training

Rickie Lambert is planning to undertake extra training at Liverpool after accepting he has failed to make the immediate impact he was hoping for following his summer move.

Lambert secured a dream move from Southampton back to his boyhood club in June, having been released by Liverpool at the age of 15, but has mainly been used as a substitute by Brendan Rodgers in the opening few weeks of the season.

Rickie Lambert has mainly been used as a substitute this season © Getty Images

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He struggled on his first start as he captained Liverpool in Tuesday's League Cup win against Middlesbrough and accepts he needs to improve if he is to oust Mario Balotelli and Daniel Sturridge - who could return from injury for Saturday's Merseyside derby - from the first team.

"It was a nice surprise being made captain [against Middlesbrough], but I wasn't happy with my own performance, so that overshadowed the honour of being captain a little bit," Lambert told reporters.

"I didn't feel as sharp as I want to feel. That's the main thing I want to look at going back into training. I want to get my match fitness up because obviously everyone knows I'm not playing every game so I have to adapt myself now. I think I'm going to have to do more so my fitness is up to the same level as everybody else.

"I do work, push myself to the limit, but maybe I'm going to have to go to the fitness coach and see if I can do more."

Lambert suspects he may be trying too hard in his bid to make his mark at Liverpool, as he accepts he is taking time to adjust to life at a Champions League club.

"Obviously there is part of it [that he is trying too hard], but I have got take into consideration and not let it affect me," he added.

"I'm more than confident I can get myself right and start contributing the way I know I can contribute."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd