Liverpool Striker Rickie Lambert Offered Multiple Deadline Day Escape Routes

Rickie Lambert reportedly has four clubs offering to take him off Liverpool's hands, with the club considering loaning the striker out to improve their wage budget.

In 28 appearances for the Reds this season, Lambert has scored just three times and didn't give Brendan Rodgers much confidence in his abilities when Daniel Sturridge was out of action.

His £4m move from Southampton in the summer was lauded to be his big chance to step up for the club the 32 year old supported as a young boy. But so far he's failed to live up to the name that helped the Saints maintain their place in the Premier League and his former club have gone on to challenge for a Champions League spot without him.

And now the Mirror are reporting that Crystal Palace, Hull, West Brom and QPR are all willing to take Lambert off Rodgers' hands with all four sides desperate to get out of the relegation scrap in the coming months.

Rodgers insisted after Lambert scored against Aston Villa on January 17 that he is happy with the striker, telling reporters: "I was delighted for him. He is making the contribution I wanted. There is a spotlight on him because of the unavailability of other players but he was brought in to make an effect. He'll always score goals."

Lambert added: "I've no intention of leaving Liverpool while they want me. If they don't want me I'll go but I'm here to help in whatever way I can."

While Rodgers still believes in Lambert's abilities a loan deal would be a chance for the frontman to get more game time and prove himself so he can come back and compete with the likes of Sturridge for a place in the starting line-up. With deadline day fast approaching it could come down to the wire if Lambert is playing in a Liverpool shirt next week.