Lambert facts: Beetroot and penalties

Rickie adds to the Scouse contingent at Melwood; he was born in Westvale, Kirkby on February 16, 1982 and grew up an avid Liverpool fan.

Lambert joined the Reds' youth ranks at the age of 10; however, he left the club at 15. This was the start of an incredible journey within the game that has, eventually, led back to Anfield.

He had trials with Marine before joining Blackpool following his release from Liverpool, but he made just three appearances for the Seasiders before being deemed surplus to requirements. After leaving Bloomfield Road, he worked in a Merseyside beetroot factory earning £20 a day to make ends meet.

Spells with Macclesfield Town, Stockport County, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers followed before he secured a £1m move to Southampton in 2009. Upon helping the Saints into the Premier League, he marked his debut in the top flight with a goal with Manchester City - meaning he joined a select group of players to have scored in all four divisions.

Today will be a date that will live long in Lambert's memory - as will Thursday, August 8, 2013. The striker was not only called up by England for the very first time for a friendly with Scotland, but his wife, Amy, also gave birth to a baby girl. His good news continued when he netted with his first touch in international football to secure a 3-2 win for the Three Lions at Wembley the following week.

He followed that up with another strike for England in a 4-0 triumph over Moldova in the capital, becoming the first player since Peter Taylor in 1976 to net on his first two appearances for the national team.

Rickie received a special message from Brendan Rodgers following his international bow. The Reds boss explains: "I sent him a fax when he made his England debut because I know he is a big Red. I sent it on behalf of the club and all Kopites. He is a Kirkby boy and I was just wishing him well and saying we were all proud of him playing for England. Hopefully now he won't score against us!"

His instant impact at international level also impressed Steven Gerrard, who claimed the big forward's fairytale story should give belief to youngsters everywhere. "Rickie's a great example to young kids," said the skipper. "Any young kid watching, who is starting at the bottom, you've just got to believe and work hard. You can work all the way up to the top, make your debut and score for England. It's a fantastic story."

Lambert has played four times against Liverpool - all while he was with Southampton. He netted against the Reds in a 3-1 win for the Saints at St Marys in March 2013.

The 32-year-old has an incredible penalty record. He scored all 34 of his spot kicks for Southampton and has missed just two in his career - the last one while he was with Bristol Rovers five years ago. "It is not rocket science, to be honest. I just pick a corner and hit it as hard as I can and just be confident. It is working pretty well," he explained.

Lambert scored 13 goals in the Barclays Premier League last season- the same number as Steven Gerrard - to earn himself a place in Roy Hodgson's World Cup finals squad.  He was one of only 15 players in the top five European leagues in 2013-14 to both score and assist 10-plus goals. In joining the Reds, it means England's Liverpool contingent now stands at six players.