• Champions League

Liverpool pressure left Lambert struggling

Rickie Lambert admits he has struggled with the pressure of playing for boyhood club Liverpool since his £4.5 million summer move from Southampton.

The striker scored his first goal for the club in Sunday's 3-1 Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace, which was only his fourth start of the season.

Having been released by the club when he was 15 before securing an emotional return at the age of 32, Lambert has revealed he has been left doubting his own ability at Anfield.

Rickie Lambert scored his first Liverpool goal © Getty Images

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"The whole thing about it being my club, the one I've supported all my life, kind of worked against me as it put more pressure on me and I struggled at first to handle that," he said.

"I was putting too much pressure on my shoulders. I'm my own biggest critic. I wanted to hit the ground running more than anyone. I'm sure my first impressions to everyone weren't what I wanted to give.

"When I came in here I probably let myself mentally think I wouldn't start very game and I shouldn't have done that. I should have tried, whoever was in the squad, to become the first choice striker, whether they were the best strikers in the world or not.

"Maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind when I came into the club as I kind of let myself think that I would be back-up. I'm not used to that because I want to be playing so it was hard.

"It was hard getting used to a club like Liverpool. The size of it and the pressure but never in a million years have I ever regretted it.

"I knew it would be a long season and that the gaffer does appreciate me and that he would put me in at some point. I've been waiting for my time.

"I did question my ability at some stages - I'm not going to hide from that. But I feel like I'm in a better place now. My confidence is back and it has been for a while.

"I've just been desperate for a chance I knew it was only a matter of time before I would score. Now that first one is out of the way hopefully there is a lot more to come."

Ahead of tonight's crucial Champions League clash at Ludogorets in Sofia, Lambert is hoping to help drag Liverpool out of their "horrible" slump which has seen the club lose four games in a row.

"It's horrible to see Liverpool in this position," Lambert said. "It's not nice, it's hurting everyone at the club. We understand the situation we're in now.

"I came here expecting to challenge for the Premier League title. I know a lot of things have gone against us but it's really important we stick together now more than ever and believe in our philosophy.

"It's not good the situation we're in, it's hard but this is where we need everyone more than ever."

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