Jamie Carragher backs Rickie Lambert to rediscover his form at West Brom

Rickie Lambert: Scored twice on his first appearance for West Brom

Jamie Carragher has backed Rickie Lambert to be a success at West Brom after completing his move from Liverpool on Friday.

Lambert made his first appearance for the Baggies just hours after signing on at The Hawthorns, scoring twice in a pre-season friendly against his former club Bristol Rovers and after a disappointing season at Anfield, Carragher believes Lambert is capable of rediscovering his form under Tony Pulis.

“Rickie Lambert has moved on from Liverpool to West Brom and immediately got on the scoresheet with two goals yesterday,” the Sky Sports pundit wrote on KICCA.

“In contrast for Liverpool he missed his first penalty for five years in one of his early pre-season games, it always nice to make a good start at a new club - no matter if it's a friendly or not.”

Lambert scored just three goals in his season at Liverpool in 28 appearances but Carragher feels he will impress in the Midlands if given the opportunities.

“When I watched him for LFC he was trying too hard as he was desperate to do well for his boyhood club,” he added.

“I felt he should have been given a few more opportunities but, when Raheem Sterling started playing as a striker at Old Trafford before Christmas, it was only a matter of time before Lambert moved on.

“I think he'll do very well for Tony Pulis and we'll see more of the Rickie Lambert we saw at Southampton.”

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Brendan Rodgers tips 'bargain buy' Christian Benteke to be Liverpool hit

Christian Benteke: Tipped to impress for Liverpool (picture courtesy of Liverpool FC)

Brendan Rodgers is tipping Christian Benteke to be a huge hit after labeling Liverpool's £32.5million signing from Aston Villa "a bargain".

The Belgium striker finalised his transfer to Anfield last month, having scored 16 goals in all competitions last season at Villa Park.

And despite doubts over the fee Liverpool have spent acquiring Benteke's services, Rodgers has backed the 24-year-old to become a huge hit at Anfield.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's game against HJK Helsinki, in which Benteke will not be a part of, Rodgers said: "I’ve read and seen things about his game, but in the short period of time he’s been in, I’ve been even more impressed.

"I’ve seen him up close now for three years, stood at the side of the field and watching this guy - not just his power and strength, but also his footballing ability.

"He’s surprised people in the early stages of life at Liverpool with that mobility and the quickness of his feet - and his natural power and strength is there to see.

"One of the goals I remember he scored against us at Anfield, he ran halfway through the field.

"This isn’t someone who lacks pace, movement and intelligence. He’s not just a guy who you chuck the ball up to. Of course, his strength allows you to keep the ball, but he’ll really help the unpredictability of our game this season.

"For me, I think he’ll prove to be a bargain for the club, I really do."

Liverpool have embarked on a major summer recruitment drive, acquiring Adam Bogdan, Nathaniel Clyne, Roberto Firmino, Joe Gomez, Danny Ings and James Milner in addition to Benteke.

And Rodgers has hailed all his new signings, but believes Benteke can become an icon at Anfield.

"We’ve obviously made a number of signings and a lot them have been young players and you can never tell,” Rodgers added.

"The players we’ve brought into Liverpool Football Club are all really good players - they’re all fantastic players, otherwise they wouldn’t be at the club.

"But it’s how players cope with the pressure of playing for one of the leading clubs in the world. That can always differ and be difficult.

"For the likes of Christian, he’s coming in and is one I’m excited about because of what he offers and what’s he’s been as an opponent against us.

"Coming in to a club like Liverpool, he can be a real hero for the supporters.

"I look at the likes of him and the boys we’ve signed, we’ve also got Daniel Sturridge to come back - we mustn’t forget about him and once he gets back fit, we’re going to have an array of talent that can score and create goals - I am excited to work with them all.

"With Christian, I am really looking forward to his presence at the club."

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Reported Liverpool target Alvaro Negredo keen to stay at Valencia

Alvaro Negredo: Keen to stay at Valencia

Reported Liverpool target Alvaro Negredo has played down talk of a £15million move to Anfield after insisting he wants to stay at Valencia.

Despite already signing strikers Christian Benteke and Danny Ings this summer, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers remains determined to boost his forward options with Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli expected to follow Rickie Lambert out of the Anfield exit door. 

Negredo caught the eye during his time in England with Man City, but was loaned to Valencia last summer in a deal that saw Los Che complete a permanent 27million euros move.

But amid reports that Valencia are keen to move for 29-year-old on, the striker has been linked with a return to the Premier League with Liverpool.

However, the striker has been quick to play down reported interest from the Reds, saying he still has a job to do at the Mestalla.

Speaking to reporters, he said: "From the first day after last season ended, my mind has been focused on Valencia.

"I want to work hard and continue developing. My plan is to stay.

"My plan is to stay and nobody has said I'm not in their plans. I'm here to keep working and nothing more.

"At the end of the day the club decides and they choose who they want and who they don't. But nobody has said to me they don't want me."

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Rickie Lambert joins West Brom from Liverpool for £3m

Rickie Lambert: Joins West Brom on a two-year deal

Tony Pulis says West Brom have signed a player of "real pedigree" after completing a deal for Rickie Lambert for a fee believed to be £3m.

The former England striker passed a medical at The Hawthorns on Friday and has put pen to paper on a contract to the summer of 2017. He moves to West Brom just a year after he joined Liverpool from Southampton.

Lambert would have faced tough competition for a starting place at Anfield next season following the arrival of Christian Benteke, Danny Ings and Roberto Firminho.

The forward had just two Premier League goals to his name from 25 games for Liverpool last season, 18 of those off the substitutes' bench.

But the 33-year-old was more prolific at Southampton where he totalled 106 goals from 207 league appearances from August 2009 until June 2014.

"Rickie is a good, strong, solid player who is a great character, good in the dressing room and good on the pitch," Pulis told West Brom's official website.

"We are very pleased to have him on board.

"He's a player of great pedigree and we look forward to integrating him into our squad."

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Andre Pirlo backs Liverpool's Mario Balotelli to prove his potential

Andrea Pirlo (left) and Mario Balotelli on Italy duty

Andrea Pirlo thinks Mario Balotelli can still be one of the "top forwards in Europe" despite his struggles at Liverpool.

The 24-year-old scored just four goals in 28 appearances for Liverpool last season after joining for £16m from AC Milan.

He is expected to leave Anfield this summer after being left out of the pre-season tour to Finland and attracting interest from Serie A.

However, Pirlo, who has played alongside Balotelli at international level for Italy, still thinks he has the potential to reach the top.

"He made mistakes when he was younger, he knows this," Pirlo told shortlist.com. "But I hope next season goes well for him, because I still believe he has all the attributes to be one of the top forwards in Europe.

"I’ll tell you that Mario is one of the nicest guys you will meet. I used to walk into training in Italy and even before he said something I could just look at his face and I would start laughing. There are never boring moments when Mario is around."

While Balotelli looks to be on the move this summer, Pirlo has already completed his transfer from Juventus to New York City.

It is the first time the 36-year-old has played for a club outside of Italy, although he did come close to moving to the Premier League in the past.

"Occasionally you meet somebody in life who is not your father, but you look at them as a father, and Carlo (Ancelotti) was that man for me," he explained.

"When he was at Chelsea we had many calls about me joining him. I was interested, and there were discussions in the club. The fee was the ultimate issue, though – Milan wanted a Chelsea player in exchange and no agreement could be reached."

The World Cup winner will now be playing alongside former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard in the Big Apple and against LA Galaxy's Steven Gerrard, who he could have played with at Milan.

"Carlo tried to sign him for Milan so we could play together, but he had no interest in leaving Liverpool," revealed Pirlo.

"That night in Istanbul, Liverpool’s fight back was centralised on Steven Gerrard. He was their leader, their star player, their man who made it happen. 

"We could have played together, but now in MLS we will be playing against each other, and I will look forward to that.

"Throughout his career, Frank has positioned himself as one of the greatest goal-scoring midfield players of the generation. Often his tally for the season would be what you would expect from a forward. I am sure we can come to some agreement on set pieces."

While Pirlo was full of praise for Gerrard and Lampard, he also singled out Paul Scholes for his technical ability.

"Paul Scholes was technically one of the best I have seen – not just one of the best Englishmen, but quite simply just one of the best," he said.

"There was a point when England had Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard, and that was the stage when you looked at England and thought they could really win something."

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Rickie Lambert set to make transfer to West Brom from Liverpool

Rickie Lambert: On his way to West Brom

Rickie Lambert will undergo a medical at West Brom on Friday after a deal was agreed to sign the former England striker from Liverpool.

Lambert struggled to make an impact at Anfield following his arrival last summer and has been deemed surplus to requirements following the arrivals of Christian Benteke, Danny Ings and Roberto Firminho.

The former Southampton striker will undergo his medical with the Baggies on Friday and provided he passes, he will join the club later the same day.

Baggies boss Tony Pulis completed the signing of James Chester from Hull City on Wednesday and is hopeful of following up that business with the capture of Lambert.

On Thursday Pulis told the Birmingham Mail: "Rickie is available. Liverpool have made that known. We'd be interested.

"It's very important that we get players who will score goals. Rickie's got a great goal-scoring record.

"From what I can gather from people at Liverpool, his fitness levels are very, very good, and he is desperate to play football.

"He didn't play last year so it's like bringing a brand new car out of the garage if we did sign him. Just putting a bit of petrol in it and letting it run."

Lambert had just two Premier League goals to his name from 25 games for Liverpool last season, 18 of those off the substitutes' bench.

But the 33-year-old was more prolific at previous club Southampton where he totalled 106 goals from 207 league appearances from August 2009 until June 2014.

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Sky Sports live fixtures: Huge Premier League derbies added

Chelsea: Premier League champions televised five more times

The televised Premier League fixtures for October and November have been announced, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham all on five times.

Sky Sports have announced 22 further televised fixtures, taking their total to 46 in the opening four months of the season.

Every club will have been televised at least twice and last season’s top four sides six or more times each before the end of November.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham will all be shown three times by Sky Sports over October and November alone.

Bt Sport, meanwhile, have announced six more televised fixtures, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham all set to be shown twice in October and November by the broadcaster.

October

Sat 3: Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion (BT Sport, 12.45pm)

Sat 3: Chelsea v Southampton (5.30pm)

Sun 4: Everton v Liverpool (1.30pm)

Sun 4: Arsenal v Manchester United (4pm)

Sat 17: Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool (BT Sport, 12.45pm)

Sat 17: Watford v Arsenal (5.30pm)

Sun 18: Newcastle United v Norwich City (4pm)

Mon 19: Swansea City v Stoke City (8pm)

Sat 24: Arsenal v Everton (5.30pm)

Sun 25: Sunderland v Newcastle United (12noon)

Sun 25: Manchester United v Manchester City (2.05pm)

Sun 25: Liverpool v Southampton (4.15pm)

Sat 31: Chelsea v Liverpool (BT Sport, 12.45pm)

November

Sun 1: Everton v Sunderland (1.30pm)

Sun 1: Southampton v Bournemouth (4pm)

Mon 2: Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa (8pm)

Sat 7: Bournemouth v Newcastle United (BT Sport, 12.45pm)

Sat 7: Stoke City v Chelsea (5.30pm)

Sun 8: Aston Villa v Manchester City (1.30pm)

Sun 8: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur (4pm)

Sat 21: Watford v Manchester United (BT Sport, 12.45pm)

Sat 21: Manchester City v Liverpool (5.30pm)

Sun 22: Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United (4pm)

Mon 23: Crystal Palace v Sunderland (8pm)

Sat 28: Leicester City v Manchester United (5.30pm)

Sun 29: Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea (BT Sport, 12pm)

Sun 29: West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion (2.05pm)

Sun 29: Norwich City v Arsenal (4.15pm)

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