Lambert: Why I chose to stay at Liverpool

The 33-year-old sought the advice of Brendan Rodgers on the final day of the January transfer window after the potential for a switch to the Midlands presented itself in the late afternoon.

Rodgers stressed his intentions to keep Lambert at the club, but also made it clear that he could not guarantee the forward, who signed from Southampton last summer, a constant berth in the first team.

After deliberation, the Reds' No.9 informed his manager of the decision to remain on Merseyside and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring success for the side this season.

"I got a phone call from the gaffer saying Aston Villa had come in," Lambert explained. "He said he didn't want me to go. He basically offered me the chance if I wanted to play football, which is fair enough.

"The phone call was about four o'clock on that day. I spoke to my agent, I spoke to my wife, spoke to Aston Villa and it was close. 

"But it was something I just couldn't do. It was too short notice. I'm at Liverpool and I didn't want to leave after six months. That's something I might have looked back on when I'd retired and regretted more than anything really.

"In the end, it came down to the amount of time I had to think about it and the thought of leaving Liverpool after six months. 

"I knew I wasn't going to stay and start playing and start being the main striker, but I knew that there would still be moments - and there are going to be even more moments coming up where I can help the team and hopefully get a few more goals and memories. 

"It was something that I would have probably looked back at a few years down the line and regretted if I moved too early. It was nothing [negative] towards Aston Villa. They're a very good club and it was very close."

On Rodgers specifically, Lambert said: "We were speaking throughout the day and I was asking him for his help. I spoke to everyone who is close to me and it was a big decision. It was too big of a decision to make in the short amount of time I had. 

"The manager was offering me the chance to go and play football and I respected that. He said, 'it's up to you'. He wanted me here but couldn't guarantee me starting time. 

"The team is playing well at the minute and I'm not going to be knocking on his door demanding to play. I know it's down to me to make the most of the moments I get between now and the end of the season." 

Prior to deadline day, Daniel Sturridge returned to action for Liverpool, entering the clash with West Ham United as a second-half substitute and pouncing to hit the back of the net within 13 minutes of being on the field.

Against Tottenham Hotspur 10 days later, Mario Balotelli netted his first Barclays Premier League goal for the club at Anfield - and Lambert admits the battle for places up front has intensified significantly.

"There is a lot of competition," said the forward. "They [Sturridge and Balotelli] are playing well. I'm not the type to make a fuss anyway. I'll keep my head down and work hard in training.

"This is a great club, a massive club with great players. I knew when I came in the first place that I wasn't going to play as much as I did at Southampton.

"I've had runs in the team. Obviously, I am a footballer and want to play every game. It's hard sometimes when you aren't playing but I'm at the club I love. I am not willing to give that up easy.

"Hopefully there are more occasions to come like the goal against Aston Villa and I can help the team at other times in this period coming up between now and the end of the season."

Lambert's three Liverpool strikes so far have all arrived away from home - against Crystal Palace, Ludogorets Razgrad and Villa - and the Scouser admits he's champing at the bit to net in front of the Anfield crowd.

"Obviously, it's something I'm desperate for," said Lambert. "But as long as I'm scoring goals. If it's away it will be just as good, as it's about helping the team."