Rickie Lambert was handed the famous and decorated number 9 shirt on arrival at Liverpool, where the veteran former Southampton striker has joined, following a 15 year absence from the club after being released by `The Reds` when he was in his teenage years. Going from a League 2 footballer with Rochdale and Bristol Rovers, Lambert was soon given the opportunity to make a move to League 1 outfit Southampton, after an eventful few years with `The Saints`, Lambert made his first Premier League appearance, and after an impressive two years in the countries` elite division, Lambert earned himself a call up into Roy Hodgson`s World Cup squad, as well as a dream move back home to Liverpool. After the departure of Luis Suarez and Iago Aspas, it was obvious that the club were short on numbers attackingly, and Lambert seemed the perfect solution, with the club snapping him up for just £4 million.
Upon arrival, Lambert wasn`t initially given a squad number, but with the recent departure of Iago Aspas, Lambert was soon given the famous number 9 jersey, as he made his unofficial debut in a 2-1 win over Preston.
"It's a great number for me to wear for Liverpool," Lambert told Liverpoolfc.com. "I've always seen myself as a No.9 as it's the type of player I am, and to get it at Liverpool is unbelievable.
"I would have been happy with any number because as long as that badge is on the front I would have been happy with any shirt, but to get No.9 is special for me."
"Obviously I'm professional, I'm 32 now and I'm able to get my emotions in check, and now it's all about my fitness. That's all I was concentrating on, trying my best and trying to get a goal. I was a little bit disappointed not to get a goal but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
"I was nervous before kick-off and I probably haven't been that nervous for a while. I've played in a lot of big games in my career and that's the most nervous I've been before a game for a while, but it was a special moment for me and one I'll remember."