Rickie Lambert: 'Players are to blame for poor form'

Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert has claimed that the players must take full responsibility for the team's recent poor form.

Brendan Rodgers accepted that the pressure was on his shoulders following the 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on the weekend, but Lambert insists that it is the squad who must produce a response in the Champions League clash with Ludogorets Razgrad on Wednesday evening.

"Most of the players know what the gaffer said. It is full credit that Brendan said that but it was totally down to the players," the England international told reporters.

"They are desperate to get the game under way and try to rectify our performance at the weekend.

"First and foremost we are focusing on our performance. Win or lose we have to put in a performance of the standard of a Liverpool team."

Ahead of the meeting with Ludogorets, Rodgers has claimed that he has the support of the Liverpool owners.