Rickie Lambert received a ringing endorsement for his move to Liverpool from former Anfield goal-getter Robbie Fowler, who has labelled the England striker 'a magnificent addition'.

In sealing a transfer from Southampton today, the 32-year-old Scouser became Brendan Rodgers' first signing of the summer as he prepares the Reds squad for Champions League football.

His story reads like a fairytale; a lifelong Kopite, Lambert was released by the club's Academy as a teenager, prompting a remarkable rise through and up the lower leagues.

The forward's prolificacy fired the Saints from League One to the Barclays Premier League and has since brought international recognition, including a spot in the Three Lions' World Cup squad.

Now he is back at Liverpool, finalising the deal a matter of days before the showpiece tournament in Brazil, and Fowler immediately hailed Rodgers' decision to recruit the Englishman.

"I think it is a magnificent addition," he told talkSPORT. "You are getting a recognised striker who scores goals in the Premier League.

"He can hold balls up - probably what Liverpool need. I think he's got a little bit of everything. It gives Liverpool more options in attack; which is what I think they need."