West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has claimed that £16 million Liverpool addition has to become a more responsible adult if he wants to succeed in the Premier League at the Anfield club in the future, as reported by the Evening Standard.
Allardyce’s West Ham host the Reds at the weekend, and in facing them, Allardyce is battling a team who, on form, are one of the best attacking sides in the Premier League.
However, they have stuttered thus far this season, with new signings needing time to blend combining unfortunately with a series of injuries suffered by key talents from last season’s successes.
Balotelli, despite his chequered past, was brought in towards the end of the summer transfer window from AC Milan for £16 million, and the Italian international scored his first goal for Liverpool against Ludogorets in the Champions League on Tuesday.
There remain questions over his attitude, and to that end, Allardyce has said: “[Balotelli] showed in the Champions League this week that he can score from a half-chance and if he has managed to improve his temperament on and off the field and become a more responsible adult, then I think he could be a big player for Liverpool.
“He’s not a Luis Suarez, but if he can finish the season in double figures, then he will have been a success.”
