Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert expects decent reception from Southampton fans
Saturday 21 February 2015 15:52, UK
Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert admits the reception he will get at former club Southampton is likely to be vastly different from the one given to his fellow former Saints Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren.
The trio head back to St Mary's for Sunday's Sky Live fixture, which will be their first returns since their departure from the south coast club last summer.
However, Lambert believes his exit to join his boyhood club Liverpool will have been viewed in a better light among Saints fans than either of the moves that witnessed Lallana and Lovren heading to Merseyside.
Lambert, who netted 117 goals in 235 appearances for Southampton during a five-year spell, said: "I'm not too sure about Adam's and Dejan's reception.
"We loved our time there. I've got nothing but appreciation and love for the Southampton fans.
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"The relationship I had with them was amazing and that's something that will stay with me after I retire.
"That will be one of the best memories I have as a footballer so I am looking forward to going back and it will be nice to see them."
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Lallana had been at Southampton from an early age, before becoming captain in his final two years there.
The midfielder said: "If I get heckled and I get a bit of stick, I'll just see it as they miss me. It's part and parcel of the game.
"I grew up in Southampton and from the age of 12 I was at the club. I've got very fond memories. I was there longer with Rickie, I only spent a season there with Dejan.
"Last season was special for us. It was obviously sad that three of us left but it's been nice to see Southampton doing so well this season."
Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers knows Sunday’s game is another vital match in their bid to claim a European position at the end of the season.
The Reds have lost just once in 17 games and Rodgers said: "The games are now being ticked off. With 13 games to go it would be a big step for us to get a result.
"We respect Southampton and the work they have done this year but we know we have the quality and the confidence to go there and get a result.
"Of course if we can get within a point of them that will probably take us to where we thought we would be.
"We will keep edging towards the top four after the real difficult start. I think there is still a lot of development in this group of players."
Watch Southampton v Liverpool live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Sunday – kick-off 4.15pm.
