Playing me up front with Mario Balotelli for Liverpool can get us both scoring again, says Rickie Lambert

Rickie Lambert believes he can form a fruitful partnership with fellow striker Mario Balotelli at Liverpool.

Lambert and Balotelli, who moved to Anfield in the summer from Southampton and AC Milan respectively, have both endured difficult starts at the club.

In fact, in the absence of the injured Daniel Sturridge, the strikers have shared just one goal between them this season, courtesy of the Italy striker.

But for Lambert, playing as a duo up front alongside Balotelli could help both of them to improve their fortunes in front of goal.

“I think I can forge a partnership with any of the strikers here,” Lambert said.

“Sometimes it works better with two strikers, sometimes it doesn’t.

“I’ve come on this season on plenty of occasions either as a one or a two, depending on the opposition.

“On Saturday [against Hull] it put more pressure on and we created more chances and it turned out to be a good formation.

“Obviously you want to hit the ground running and you want to score. The longer it goes on, sometimes the harder it is.

“It depends how you are mentally. Sometimes it’s hard to stay clam but I’m confident it will come.

“Mario is a good striker and we are all behind him. I thought he did well, held the ball up and did all the things he was asked to do.

“He was unlucky with a couple of chances. Like myself, Mario just needs a goal – that is exactly what a striker needs.

“If it goes in off your backside it doesn’t really matter – then the confidence flows.”