Rickie Lambert says he is looking to step up his training regime, after a disappointing first start for Liverpool on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old was given the captain’s armband for the Capital One Cup clash with Middlesbrough, on what was his first start for the club he supported as a boy.
But Lambert says a disappointing performance took the shine off the honour of being made skipper, and will now look to step up his training regime in order to get back to his best form.
The England international said: “It was surprise to be captain as I wasn’t expecting it.
“The manager pulled me in and said ‘you’re going to be skipper’ so it was a great honour to lead the team. But forgetting about that, it was a strange game.
“I wasn’t happy with my own performance, so that overshadowed the honour of being captain a little bit.
“It’s just things, touches. I didn’t feel as sharp as I want to feel.
“That’s the main thing I want to look at going back into training.
“I want to get my match fitness up because obviously everyone knows I’m not playing every game so I have to adapt myself now.”
Lambert was a regular starter for Southampton, but finds himself behind the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini in Brendan Rodgers current pecking order.
And the striker says he will be looking to tailor his fitness programme to ensure he is at his best the next time he gets an opportunity.
“I do work, push myself to the limit, but maybe I am going to have to go to the fitness coach and see if I can do more.”
