Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

It’s a tale of two strikers left surplus to requirements after just one season at Liverpool.

Rickie Lambert has departed in a £3million move to West Brom, while Mario Balotelli will follow him out of the Anfield exit door as soon as the Reds can get a deal done.

The history books will illustrate why their Liverpool careers proved so shortlived.

Lambert scored three goals in 36 appearances (12 starts) and Balotelli managed four in 28 outings (14 starts).

With Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino, Danny Ings and Divock Origi now on board, Lambert and Balotelli were never going to get given the chance by Brendan Rodgers to make amends.

Yet the manner in which they conducted themselves over the past 12 months could hardly be more contrasting.

Lambert leaves Anfield with his head held high and when he returns with the Baggies this season a warm reception is guaranteed.

Yes, the dream turned sour for the Kirkby-born frontman, who rejoined his boyhood club 17 years after he was released as a trainee.

But his commitment and dedication to the cause were never in question.

The only thing Lambert was guilty of last season was trying too hard.

The big frontman with the Liver Bird tattoo was so desperate to deliver that he heaped pressure on his own shoulders. He snatched at chances he would have dispatched with his eyes closed playing for Southampton.

Sadly, he never got to celebrate in front of the Kop, but what playing for the club meant to him was epitomised by the manic celebrations with the away end after his classy finish at Villa Park in January.

It’s also worth remembering that Lambert was only ever bought as a Plan B. He was a £4.5million back-up option.

It wasn’t his fault that the longer the season went on the more the manager seemed reluctant to go down that route.

Yet Lambert always kept his counsel. Not a bad word against anyone was uttered.

Asked to stop for an interview in the mixed zone after another frustrating bout of bench warming he simply said: “I better not.”

Always respectful. Always dignified. Always the model professional. That was why he was included on the pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia.

His days at the club were numbered but Rodgers knew he could count on the 33-year-old not to rock the boat.

The same couldn’t be said for Balotelli, who was relegated to doing shuttle runs at Melwood with Fabio Borini and Jose Enrique while the squad were away.

The concern was that Balotelli would cause friction and unrest so Rodgers opted to ostracize him.

'Calculated gamble' fails to pay off

When Liverpool paid AC Milan £16million for the Italy international a year ago the Anfield hierarchy insisted that financially it was a no brainer.

Rodgers described it as a “calculated gamble” on a player with a chequered past but there was a belief that even if Balotelli flopped the Reds would recoup that fee when they sold him.

Now there is no chance of that with Liverpool happy to take half of what they paid and desperate to avoid having to settle for a loan move which would see them subsidising his £90,000 per week basic salary.

A minority of fans believe that Balotelli has been harshly treated by Rodgers and that he deserves the opportunity to prove he can adapt to the Reds’ style. They are deluded.

Rodgers may not have wanted him initially but he gave the deal the green light when deadline day was looming and he was faced with a straight choice between Balotelli and Samuel Eto’o.

The Northern Irishman was committed to making it work. But all the promises Balotelli made him in his Melwood office prior to signing about knuckling down and committing to the team ethic were quickly broken.

Balotelli wasn’t interested in learning and adapting his style. A succession of pitiful excuses meant he regularly missed training.

Rodgers’ patience with him had snapped long before May.

Lambert departs with the respect of his team-mates and manager in tact. The reality for Balotelli is very different.

Paisley's players host special evening

Forty years ago this month Liverpool boss Bob Paisley launched the campaign that sparked the most impressive haul of silverware by any manager in the history of English football.

And to celebrate that anniversary four of his legendary players will be live on stage at New Brighton Floral Pavilion in the show that tells the remarkable story of the man who had to be persuaded to take on the towering challenge of succeeding Bill Shankly.

Ian Callaghan, Jimmy Case, Alan Kennedy and Phil Neal join broadcaster and author John Keith and singer and musician Gerry Murphy in Bob Paisley: Reluctant Genius for the one-night only production on Friday, August 21.

In his first season in charge, 1974/75, Paisley’s side finished as runners-up to Derby County.

“I felt as if I was an apprentice on a derby horse that ran wide at the bends,” was Paisley’s semi apologetic response to finishing second.

Apologies weren't necessary again. In 1975/76 Liverpool landed a league title and UEFA Cup double - the first two of 19 prizes plundered in Paisley’s nine years at the helm.

“When you look at what Bob won you can hardly believe it,” Callaghan said.

“While Bill was the greatest motivator Bob was an amazing tactician and he had this uncanny knack of buying players who complemented each other. He’s the only English manager to win the European Cup three times and the only one of any nationality to win three with one club.

“Jimmy, Alan, Phil and myself have some wonderful memories and great stories to tell about him."

Tickets (£15 with £12 concessions) are available from the Floral Pavilion box office or by calling 0151 666 0000. Also on line at: www.floralpavilion.com

Pelosi shaking ground in MLS

Former Liverpool Academy youngster Marc Pelosi is looking to kick-start his career after returning home to California to play for San Jose Earthquakes.

The 21-year-old midfielder was released by the Reds at the end of last season following a four-year stay on Merseyside.

Pelosi made his Major League Soccer debut in last weekend's defeat to Vancouver.

“I was really happy to get out there,” he said.

“It’s a big step for me playing for the first team.

“At Liverpool I would train with the senior team, but I never played with them in a first team game. It’s always different playing on the big stage.

“It’s crazy because I haven’t lived here for six years. I moved to Florida when I was 15 for residency for two years and from there, I went to England for four years. I’d be back for the holidays, but it’s good to be back full time. I’m loving every minute of it.”

The USA youth international was a regular for Liverpool at under-18 and under-21 level and was close to a senior call-up before he suffered a broken leg in February 2013.

“I wouldn’t take back my experience at Liverpool for anything even though I suffered a bad injury there,” he added.

“Being there showed me a lot about the game and it made me grow as a person.”

Pelosi was released by the Reds at the same time as fellow under-21s midfielder Jordan Lussey, who signed a one-year contract with Bolton Wanderers.

Night to celebrate 1965 Cup win

Kop greats Ian Callaghan, Chris Lawler, Ian St John and Tommy Lawrence will be the special guests at a night of celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of Liverpool’s 1965 FA Cup triumph.

The event at the Sefton Park ‘Connie’ Club on Crawford Avenue will take place on Friday, August 28 from 7.30pm.

It's a fundraising evening for Guide Dogs for the Blind with special limited edition posters of the historic '65 Wembley win on sale.

Tickets are priced from £25 and are available from Graham Duncan. Call 07801 316561 or email graham@cdp.co.uk