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Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says Rickie Lambert is important, admits he rarely plays

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Steven Deeks
 @ October 23rd, 2014

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers appeared to contradict himself when declaring what an important player Rickie Lambert is for the club before going on to admit that he rarely plays him.

The 32-year-old striker has been largely overlooked since making his summer move from Southampton with him only making one start in the Premier league.

But Rodgers, who has been keeping the faith with flop Mario Balotelli, says there are no problems with the England forward because he did not expect to play much.

“I think Rickie has always been very clear on what the expectancy is on him to come in. He knew he would get games but knew he wouldn’t be a starter,” said the Reds boss.

“That is how it has panned out for him. He is a great guy, he recognises the role he has to play and he is playing that role in training every day. He has been absolutely no problem at all.

“We needed something tactically different in the game last night which was about speed and mobility and that was why we put Raheem through the middle.

“You take the goal threat out of our team from last year and you take out a huge percentage so it is about finding a different way to get the same result.

“At this moment in time it hasn’t been as fluent or efficient but we are working hard to try to master that.

“When Daniel plays it opens up more space for other players. It is something we want him to get back for as quick as we can but Rickie’s role is an important role for us.

“It might not seem that because he has not been playing so much,” he added.

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