Tag Archives: Mario Balotelli

Liverpool Legend Pans £16M Star’s Performances

Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has criticised £16 million summer signing Mario Balotelli’s performances since moving to the Anfield club, as reported by the Daily Star.

The Italian international was brought in to Merseyside towards the end of the summer transfer window, in part to replace talismanic striker Luis Suarez, who moved to Barcelona shortly after the World Cup.

He has failed to impress, however, and his display against Queens Park Rangers symbolised a striker lacking confidence in his ability.

The forward missed opportunity after opportunity, many of which were easier to score, and then earned the wrath of his teammates by choosing to shoot rather than pass when they were better placed to attack.

His display against Real Madrid last night was not much better, and as a result, Balotelli was taken off at half time, with the Reds losing 3-0 to the Spanish giants.

Lawrenson is worried about Balotelli’s displays, and said: “Balotelli is 24-years-old and a dad. Everybody thought it was time for him to settle down, but, if anything, he is getting worse.

“At Queens Park Rangers on Sunday he gave a non-performance, and then last night, it was sheer madness.

“It is all about Mario Balotelli. He lives in his own little world, but there is no ‘I’ in team. That sums him up.”

Liverpool Star Reacts To Balotelli Shirt Swapping Controversy

Liverpool star Jordan Henderson has reacted to the shirt swapping controversy currently enveloping Mario Balotelli, suggesting that no one in the dressing room has even discussed it, as reported by the Daily Star.

Liverpool collapsed to a 3-0 loss against Real Madrid in the Champions League last night, and were losing by that scoreline by the time the interval came around.

Balotelli was later shown to have swapped shirts with Real star Pepe at half time, something that people have suggested is a sign of a poor attitude from the Italian international.

However, vice captain Henderson is of the belief that it wasn’t a topic of discussion in the dressing room at any point yesterday.

Henderson said: “It hasn’t been discussed in the dressing room.

“I don’t think anyone knew he had even done it. It’s certainly the first I’ve heard of it.”

 

The Italian international has struggled to settle since his £16 million move to Anfield during the summer transfer window.

In comparison with former Reds hitman Luis Suarez, he has looked disinterested at times, and repeatedly missed opportunities against Queens Park Rangers at the weekend when it looked easier to score.

Liverpool Boss Backs £16M Ace To Find His Shooting Boots In Real Clash

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Mario Balotelli will find his goalscoring touch in tonight’s huge clash against Real Madrid in the Champions League, as reported by the Daily Star.

Balotelli has been something of a disappointment since his arrival on Anfield, with the Italian international scoring only one goal for the club.

His purchase from AC Milan towards the end of the transfer window was heralded as astute from some quarters, but despite the reduced fee, Balotelli has failed to live up to his potential.

The poor performances reached a crescendo against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, with Balotelli spurning opportunity after opportunity, while simultaneously taking shots from range that he had little right to.

Despite his struggles in front of the net, Rodgers has offered his confidence to Balotelli, and believes he will play a key role against the Spanish giants tonight.

“He’s a good kid who is working hard,” Rodgers said.

“He’s focused and getting himself out on the training field, which is important, and he’s scored goals in big games.

“I’m sure he’ll go into the game tomorrow night, if selected, looking forward to getting off the mark again, and as long as he’s in there with the possibilities to score, I have every confidence he can score.”

Liverpool have won one and lost one in the Champions League thus far.