Boss: Lambert can shine on first start

The manager confirmed Lambert will be in the starting XI when the Reds look to return to winning ways in the cup after consecutive Barclays Premier League defeats against Aston Villa and West Ham United, with a victory over Ludogorets in the Champions League in between.

Lambert, a life-long Liverpool fanatic, fulfilled a childhood dream when he sealed a switch from Southampton in the summer.

The 32-year-old, who proved a key figure for the Saints throughout 2013-14 by netting an impressive 13 goals, has so far made a total of four substitute appearances for his new club.

Tomorrow will bring another milestone moment in what has been a whirlwind four months for the Kirkby-born forward - and Rodgers is confident Lambert can hit the ground running from the first minute against Boro.

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"Rickie's been training very, very well," the boss told reporters gathered in the old Anfield boot room.

"He came in during pre-season and he's been getting himself fit. He played in a lot of the games [during pre-season]. He got himself to a good level of fitness and this will be a game that he will start in.

"He's come off the bench and made an impact for us. He's a wonderful player, a great technician and he makes it really, really difficult for defenders.

"I know he's really looking forward to tomorrow night and hopefully he can get a goal on his first start."

Lambert was introduced to the action in the second half after Rodgers chose to pair Italian forwards Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini for Liverpool's trip to West Ham on Saturday.

For Balotelli, who signed from AC Milan in August, the game at Upton Park - a 3-1 defeat against the Hammers - brought a fourth start for the club on what was a largely frustrating evening in front of goal for the Reds.

However, Rodgers insists the 24-year-old is working well at Melwood, settling comfortably into life on Merseyside and fully expects Balotelli to continue to improve as he adapts to his role in the side.

"I think every player is different," said the manager. "Every player is individual. I've really enjoyed working with him so far.

"He's a good guy. He wants to do well for the club and he has shown he cares enough about the club. For me, he's not complicated.

"He's a football player who wants to do well in his life and his career and if he continues to give everything and work tirelessly for the cause then there'll always be an opportunity here for him.

"But I think it's not just Mario [who is adapting at the club], it's the whole group. It's a new dynamic in the group. We lost Luis [Suarez], who was a marvellous player, and we had to bring in a number of players because that's what the depth of the squad needed. We were very short last year.

"There was a natural transition in the group and when there is that transition, there are little bumps along the way. But Mario is one of a number of players that we brought in.

"And for them all, no matter how good the quality is, it's going to take that wee bit of time for them to gel with the current players that are here. But that's something I've seen happen here and that will happen again."

The manager was also asked for his thoughts on the role Borini can play going forward having secured a first start for the club since the defeat by Oldham Athletic in January 2013.

"I know Fabio very well from our days when he was a youth team player at Chelsea," came the Northern Irishman's response. "I know a lot about his qualities.

"I think I've shown in my time here as a coach and a manager there's always an opportunity if you deliver on the field and on the training field.

"Every player has that chance and that opportunity every single day. Fabio will want to score goals and create goals because that's his job as a striker. If he can do that, that will always help the cause."