QPR manager Harry Redknapp has said Mario Balotelli's move to Liverpool will hurt Rickie Lambert
Mario Balotelli is primed to complete his transfer to Liverpool, and will be the second striker to sign for the Reds this summer.
The striker swaps the San Siro for Anfield, while Rickie Lambert left the crowd at St Mary's behind.
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The former Southampton forward is expected to see his playing time diminish with the arrival of Balotelli, and QPR manager Harry Redknapp says he feels sorry for the striker before he has barely got started.
He told The Sun: "The one player I feel sorry for in all this is Rickie Lambert.
"He fulfilled a dream going back to his hometown club in the summer. But he is likely to be third choice behind Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli.
"That makes me sad - and worries me. Years ago if you were an England centre-forward you would be regarded as one of the best in the land and wouldn't be left on the bench hoping to get 15 minutes at the end of a game when your team is 3-0 up."
Redknapp's point is clear, but at 32-years-old, Lambert would be deluding himself if he were to expect to be England's first choice forward at Euro 2016.
By being at Liverpool, not only is he achieving personal ambitions, but he is putting himself in a better position to feature at the tournament at all.
Lambert has an opportunity to battle for medals at the top of the English game and play in the Champions League, a possibility which would not have seemed viable when playing for Southampton in League One.
Top clubs need at least three strikers to compete on all fronts and Lambert will get his opportunity. In many ways Balotelli's arrival is a positive, as it relieves the pressure on him with Suarez departed.
We doubt he welcomes Redknapp's pity, or feels sorry for himself one bit.