Liverpool Striker Rickie Lambert Believes He Can Form Prolific Partnership With Misfiring Mario Balotelli

Rickie Lambert believes he can form a prolific partnership with misfiring striker Mario Balotelli for Liverpool.

Lambert was positively singled out for his role during his side's 0-0 draw with Hull on Saturday 25 October after coming on as a second substitute.

Analysing the England international's impact, former Reds defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher highlighted the way Lambert brought Balotelli into proceedings more.

He pointed out Lambert passed to Balotelli more times than any other player after he came on as a 60th minute substitute at Anfield as a replacement for the ineffective Adam Lallana.

Speaking after the game, Lambert said he can help improve Balotelli's fortunes in front of goal.

He said: "I think I can forge a partnership with any of the strikers here.

"Sometimes it works better with two strikers, sometimes it doesn't. I've come on this season on plenty of occasions either as a one or a two, depending on the opposition.

"On Saturday [against Hull] it put more pressure on and we created more chances and it turned out to be a good formation."

Lambert is yet to score a competitive goal for Liverpool while Balotelli's only strike was the winner against Ludogorets in the Champions League last month.

But the former Southampton striker has backed the Italy striker to get up and running soon.

"Mario is a good striker and we are all behind him. I thought he did well, held the ball up and did all the things he was asked to do," Lambert said.

"He was unlucky with a couple of chances. Like myself, Mario just needs a goal – that is exactly what a striker needs.

"If it goes in off your backside it doesn't really matter – then the confidence flows."