Thursday 25 September 2014 14:40, UK
Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert admits he has work to do on his fitness after being disappointed with his display against Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
Lambert came into the starting XI for the Capital One Cup third round tie, and he was also handed the captaincy by boss Brendan Rodgers.
But the 32-year-old former Southampton striker failed to make much of an impact and had been taken off long before the drama of the Anfield penalty shootout that ended with his side edging through 14-13.
Lambert loved the experience of leading his boyhood side out but admitted it has been tough for him staying fit when he has been spending most of his time on the bench behind Daniel Sturridge and more recently Mario Balotelli.
"I wasn't expecting it, and it was a great honour to lead the team. It was a nice surprise," Lambert said of being named captain.
"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.
"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.
"I think I'm going to have to do more so my fitness is up to the same level as everybody else.
"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."
Lambert could be back on the bench for Saturday's Merseyside derby against Everton and he is hoping to be involved in some way, despite his midweek disappointment.
He said: "Hopefully we can get one over on them. It's always a special day against Everton and I can't wait for it. It's another dream (to play in a Merseyside derby).
"But for now, I want to stay away from stuff like that and focus on my performance and fitness."
