With the club just having missed out on winning the league title for the first time in two decades, and with the future of the talismanic Luis Suarez remaining up in the air, one would have expected Brendan Rodgers to delve into the transfer market to bolster their ammunition with a proven European striker. So when boyhood fan Rickie Lambert came marching through the doors of Anfield in the first week of June, it proved a nice fairytale for a 32 year old who had worked his way up through the lower divisions, but as far as the Reds prospects went, it looked a surprising move by Brendan Rodgers.
''I cant believe it. Ive loved this club all my life. I left here 17 years ago and I havent stopped loving it since. I have always dreamt of playing for Liverpool, but I did kind of think the chance of playing for them had gone. I didnt think the chance would come. Ive been trying to keep it as low-key as possible, only telling close family. My mum and dad shed a few tears when I told them, my mum in particular. - Rickie Lambert, June 2014.
Lambert was a capable striker for Southampton, but was he what was needed as far as Champions League hopefuls Liverpool were concerned? It was certainly a transfer which raised a few eyebrows, and put in motion the Saints exodus.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
