As Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert drove away from Villa Park on Saturday following his sides 0-2 loss to Liverpool, he was surely wondering how long things could go on like this before time will be called on his job, while another Lambert, Rickie left the ground with a sense of renewed purpose after his goal for Liverpool put the game out of Villa’s reach.
And while there has been talk of both West Brom and Crystal Palace being keen on the 32-year-olds services till the end of the season the Liverpool player and fan is adamant that he is going nowhere.
When Lambert scored his goal on Saturday he was so overjoyed that he ran and jumped into a group of traveling supporters at the Witton Lane Stand to celebrate.
‘That’s the best way to affect a game,’ said Lambert. ‘In the past I maybe would have passed instead of taking it on myself. It was nice to secure the game after Simon Mignolet had saved us. He was brilliant.
‘I love those celebrations, I love watching them on TV. To do it myself with the Liverpool fans is something I’ll always remember. The best moment I’ve felt since I’ve been here.
Brilliant.
‘I’ve no intention of leaving Liverpool while they want me. If they don’t want me I’ll go but I’m here to help in whatever way I can.’
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers pumped the air with his fist when he saw Lamberts shot go past Brad Guzan.
‘I was delighted for him,’ said Rodgers. ‘He is making the contribution I wanted. There is a spotlight on him because of the unavailability of other players but he was brought in to make an effect. He’ll always score goals.’
There is no time to celebrate though with Chelsea at Anfield on Tuesday for the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final that few will back Liverpool to win over two legs.
‘I went to the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea in 2005,’ Lambert said. ‘It was the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced. Can we do the same? It would be brilliant. We’re getting better, we’ve got players coming back and we’re still in all the cups.
‘Chelsea will probably be favourites but we’ve got the winning mentality back. I can’t talk all day about iconic games from the past. We want to have our own.’
