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Raheem Sterling may have joined Manchester City, but Liverpool have a surplus of attacking players. Christian Benteke looks to be on his way once both Merseyside's finest and Aston Villa agree on how the fee for the Belgian striker should be structured. Roberto Firmino is this summer's unexpected but pleasant surprise. Danny Ings was one of the players who impressed against Brisbane Roar and could provide the reliable depth required from an attacking squad player. The arrival of Divock Origi and the return of Daniel Sturridge further underline the lack opportunities for Fabio Borini, Mario Balotelli, and Rickie Lambert in 2015/16.
The Italian pair were left behind with the master of distraction, otherwise known as José Enrique, as Liverpool's staff and players prepared to visit different parts of the club's global fanbase. Rickie Lambert, however, was on the plane. Was this a sentimental choice? A practical move increase the veteran striker's visibility to potential buyrers? Or, was it a clear indication that Rodgers actually wanted the player to stay? It seems that those questions may be answered soon after strong rumours linking Lambert with a move to West Bromwich Albion.
The 33-year-old would be a good addition for many Premier League clubs who require an intelligent target man with a respectable goalscoring record. Tony Pulis is believed to be an admirer of Lambert and wants to secure those talents ahead of a season of consolidation for the Baggies. There were always going to be buyers for someone like Lambert in the Premier League anyway. Balotelli and Borini are proving more difficult to shift, but there may be one less unwanted striker to worry about.
Lambert may thrive under Tony Pulis with regular minutes. In fact, playing with a more mobile striker could see a return to form. He managed to score a few competitive goals for his local team in a disappointing 2014/15, but this isn't a move that Lambert should turn down if he wants to feature more regularly at this stage of his career.
