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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2015: Liverpool's Rickie Lambert celebrates scoring the second goal against Aston Villa during the Premier League match at Villa Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Rickie Lambert “decides to stay at Liverpool” and turn down Aston Villa move

There has been much speculation surrounding Rickie Lambert’s Liverpool future today, but it appears he will now remain a Reds player until the summer at least.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 4, 2014: Liverpool's Rickie Lambert in action against West Bromwich Albion during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Having initially been tipped to make a £5m move by the Daily Telegraph this afternoon, his future seemingly belongs at Anfield for the time being.

BBC Sport’s Ben Smith took to twitter to confirm the news this evening, saying:

“I’m told Rickie Lambert has decided to remain at #LFC. Difficult decision for him. Important to say a deal to take Rickie Lambert to Aston Villa was on the table but he turned it down.”

Likewise, the equally reliable Tony Barrett of the Times echoed Smith’s sentiment, updating his account with the following:

“Rickie Lambert won’t be joining Aston Villa. He’s told Liverpool he wants to stay.”

It is believed Lambert was offered increased wages at Villa, who saw the 32-year-old as someone to add quality to their ailing attack, but turned the offer down in order to remain at Anfield.

Lambert has had a hugely disappointing time of things since moving to Merseyside for £4m from Southampton last summer, but there is the feeling that he is still desperate to show what he is made of.

Having grown up as a boyhood Reds fanatic, he will be desperate to prove his worth from now until the end of the season, as Brendan Rodgers’ side look to achieve a top-four Premier League finish and progress to the latter stages of the FA Cup and Europa League.