US Edition 
No room for sentiment as Rickie Lambert has point to prove on his return to Liverpool
England's Rickie Lambert completes a fairy tale return to Anfield 17 years after they released him aged 15, but he is focused only on impressing manager Brendan Rodgers
Rickie Lambert is determined to prove there is more to his Liverpool signing than romance as he seeks to put success over sentimentality.
The England striker’s return to the club that released him as a 15-year-old is one of the more wholesome transfer tales of the summer, but Lambert is eager to ensure that he is perceived as more than just a fan fulfilling a dream.
“It’s a good story and I’m happy talking about it but I think the time has gone past that now,” Lambert said.
“The first game of the season is coming and believe me when I say it that is all I am focusing on. Football has no place for sentimental things.
“It’s about what I do on the pitch and I’m happy with that. As soon as you hold on to sentimental things it gets knocked out of you straight away.
"A lot of Liverpool fans will like the idea of signing a Scouser and a Liverpudlian but it was the simple fact that the manager thought I was good enough to be a Liverpool player. It had no sentiment in it.
“As long as this journey has taken me, the two years in the Premier League at Southampton and getting into the England squad, you have to let that go because it’s what I do now.
"I have to get picked, progress with the club and impress the manager.
“That’s what matters. Obviously when I look back over my career I’ll never forget my time at all my clubs who mean so much me, but I’m thinking I have to think about what I do from this moment.”
Lambert has carved out such a future by being motivated by his past setbacks, especially the heartbreak of being released by Liverpool in 1997.
“I remember getting called into the office by Steve Heighway [Liverpool’s former Academy director] with my dad and him saying I had no future at Liverpool,” Lambert recalled.
“It wasn’t a shock. I don’t think I did enough to prove I was good enough to make the next step they were looking for.
“I would be lying if I said that I had it in the back of my mind I would ever return.
“When I look back, it was probably silly how much it hurt me. I was absolutely devastated. I was 15 and it felt like the end of the world.
“There was resentment towards the man who let me go but it was never towards the club. I had total respect for Steve Heighway and I still do. It was his decision.
"But I always wanted to prove people wrong who have let me go in the past. That has driven me on.”
With France international striker Loïc Rémy joining the squad in Boston, Lambert knows the challenge facing him to secure a regular starting place.
“It’s a long season coming up and a hell of a lot of games,” he said.
“I’ll be happy with whatever role Brendan has for me. If that’s a starting role, coming off the bench, it’s what I’m looking forward to and one I’m getting ready for.
“The days of only being happy when I’m playing have gone. I’m looking at the bigger picture. It’s whatever is best for the club.
"Of course I don’t want to be on the bench and not play games but as long as I can see the manager appreciates me and my ability then I’m happy.”
Lambert also says that Liverpool have signed another gem from his old club.
“When Adam [Lallana] told me Liverpool were interested I knew straight away he could fit in.
“Even before I knew I was signing I was thinking what a great signing he will be for Liverpool.
"It’s early days but I can see how he has fit in straight away. He is a top player.”
Liverpool are also in talks with Atlético Madrid to sign right-back Javi Manquillo on loan. Manquillo is a Spain Under-20 international.