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Rickie Lambert should "100 per cent" be playing ahead of Mario Balotelli at Liverpool, according to Gary Neville.
The Manchester United great believes that Lambert, a summer signing from Southampton, deserves to keep his place in front of Balotelli.
Lambert started for the Reds in their 2-2 draw with Ludogorets in the Champions League last night, with Balotelli out injured with a groin strain.
The England striker has scored two goals in his last two appearances for Liverpool, the same amount as Balotelli in his 14 Reds; appearances.
The Italian striker is expected to be available to available for the Premier League game against Stoke on Saturday, but Neville says he should not be playing ahead of Lambert.
Mario Balotelli has faltered at Liverpool
(Getty Images)
"He should be playing 100 per cent ahead of Balotelli," he told Sky Sports.
Ludogorets 2 Liverpool 2 - player ratingsShow all 11 1 /11Ludogorets 2 Liverpool 2 - player ratings Ludogorets 2 Liverpool 2 - player ratings Simon Mignolet His butter fingers cost Liverpool a goal and he looked jittery thereafter. His place is under considerable pressure and it would not be surprising to see Brendan Rodgers buy a replacement either in January or next summer. 3/10
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Ludogorets 2 Liverpool 2 - player ratings Javier Manquillo The full-back performed decently both in attack and defence, is a willing runner and was never beaten by his man. 6
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Ludogorets 2 Liverpool 2 - player ratings Martin Skrtel Dejan Lovren has taken all the flak this season but Martin Skrtel has been just as bad, another poor display against an inferior team. 4
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Ludogorets 2 Liverpool 2 - player ratings Kolo Toure Should keep his place in the team for the match at the weekend, comfortable (bar near error) and the much more impressive of the two centre-backs. 7
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Ludogorets 2 Liverpool 2 - player ratings Glen Johnson Never has been a good defender, never will. Beaten at the corner that led to Ludogorets’ late equaliser. 4
David Rawcliffe
Ludogorets 2 Liverpool 2 - player ratings Lucas Leiva Held the middle of the park well, providing good protection in front of the back four. Another who should get more of a look in on the home front. 6
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Ludogorets 2 Liverpool 2 - player ratings Joe Allen A quiet if assured performance.; kept possession well without ever really asserting himself on the Bulgarians. 6
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Ludogorets 2 Liverpool 2 - player ratings Jordan Henderson An excellent finish for the goal, but still does not look fully fit or as dynamic as he did last season. In need of a rest but not likely to get one. 5
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Ludogorets 2 Liverpool 2 - player ratings Steven Gerrard Pushed further forward by Rodgers but completely ineffectual, bar one pass to Sterling. Desperately in need of a spell on the sidelines. 4
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Ludogorets 2 Liverpool 2 - player ratings Raheem Sterling Liverpool’s best attacker and a great cross for the second goal; but he spurned a brilliant opportunity to make it 3-1. 5
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Ludogorets 2 Liverpool 2 - player ratings Rickie Lambert Liverpool’s best player, couldn’t ask much more from a lone striker. Held the ball up well and got on the scoresheet. 7
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"The Liverpool players will want Rickie Lambert. He's someone to play off and make movements. He deserves to keep his place. He brought people into play and showed a good touch."
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