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Rickie Lambert has signalled his intention to make a flying start to his Liverpool FC career by returning to pre-season training a week ahead of schedule.

The Reds' England contingent weren't due to report back for duty until Brendan Rodgers' squad fly to Boston for the club's tour of America this Sunday.

However, the 32-year-old boyhood Kopite opted to cut short his holiday in order to ensure he's firing on all cylinders ahead of the new campaign.

The £4million summer signing from Southampton was at Melwood on Monday to begin work with the club's fitness staff - less than three weeks after England's World Cup campaign in Brazil ended in bitter disappointment.

Lambert won't play in Wednesday's opening friendly against Brondby in Denmark and is unlikely to feature against Preston at Deepdale on Saturday.

His first taste of action for Liverpool is set to be against Roma in Boston on Wednesday, July 23.

Fellow England internationals Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana will also be on the club's US tour from the start. They will begin their pre-season at the Reds' Harvard University training base.

Lazar Markovic's £20million move from Benfica to Liverpool will be confirmed on Tuesday after the Serbian winger completed his medical.

Reds striker Iago Aspas is set to complete his season-long loan move to Sevilla, while young Liverpool defenders Andre Wisdom and Brad Smith are also attracting interest.

Wisdom is wanted on loan by West Brom but the 21-year-old is expected to be in Rodgers' squad for Wednesday's friendly against Brondby.

Left-back Smith could also depart to gain experience this season with Swindon Town keen to secure his services on a temporary basis.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich insist attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri is going nowhere this summer.

The Reds had considered a move for the Switzerland international earlier in the window but turned their attentions to Markovic instead.

Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer said: “Xherdan is an important player for the future. There are no thoughts at all about selling him.”

The future of Liverpool winger Oussama Assaidi remains uncertain with Stoke City still unwilling to meet the £7million asking price.

The Moroccan spent last season on loan at the Britannia Stadium and Potters boss Mark Hughes wants to keep him.

“He's someone we know and someone we know can have an impact so, yes, we would like to see if something can be done with Ossie,” Hughes said.

“But obviously he isn't our player and that means the ball is in Liverpool's court.”

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