Rickie Lambert admits his first start for Liverpool was 'overshadowed' by a mediocre personal performance.
The former Southampton striker was handed a full debut by Brendan Rodgers, as well as the captain's armband, for the Capital One Cup third round clash with Middlesbrough at Anfield on Tuesday night but felt he did not perform to the standards required.
Of his performance, which saw him subbed for Mario Balotelli in the second half, Lambert said: "It was a nice surprise being made captain, but forgetting about that, it was a strange game.
"I wasn't happy with my own performance, so that overshadowed the honour of being captain a little bit.
"It was just things, touches. I didn't feel as sharp as I want to feel. That's the main thing I want to look at going back into training.
"I want to get my match fitness up because obviously everyone knows I'm not playing every game so I have to adapt myself now. I think I'm going to have to do more so my fitness is up to the same level as everybody else.
"I do work, push myself to the limit, but maybe I'm going to have to go to the fitness coach and see if I can do more."
Despite Lambert's personal disappointment, Liverpool were able to progress to the fourth round of the league cup courtesy of an epic 14-13 penalty shootout which came after Boro levelled twice in the 2-2 draw which required extra-time.
