Liverpool F.C. manager Brendan Rodgers has hinted Mario Balotelli could be set for a swift exit from Anfield.
The Italy international, 23, joined the Reds from AC Milan in a deal worth £16 million in the summer, but has managed to score just one goal in his first 10 appearances in all competitions for the club.
In a moment of sheer frustration with Balotelli’s lack of form and production, Rodgers seemingly admitted he may have made a mistake in bringing the 23-year-old to Merseyside.
“Mario is working hard on the training field. As long as he’s doing his best that’s all I can ask for,” said Rodgers.
“Whether Mario’s best is good enough longer term, that remains to be seen.”
It should come as no surprise that Balotelli was heavily criticised for his first-half performance against Real Madrid on Wednesday, and perhaps rightly so.
However, the Italian striker was also lambasted for swapping shirts with Madrid defender Pepe at half-time.
Regarding the shirt-swapping ‘incident,’ Rodgers added: “Any action I would take with Mario would be kept within ourselves. We’ve had a conversation. Case closed.
“There’s been no reaction to Mario Balotelli’s shirt swap from the rest of the squad but speculation is inevitable.”
Liverpool will host Hull City at Anfield at the weekend and all reports are suggesting the former Internazionale, Manchester City, and Milan striker will not take part in the festivities.
Rodgers may opt for a 4-3-3 with a “False 9” or he may decide to bring in Rickie Lambert. Neither option is bulletproof. In other words, Daniel Sturridge’s injury set-back could not have come at a worse time for Liverpool.
Sturridge, who tallied 21 goals and seven assists in 29 English Premier League appearances last term, will be sidelined for the next four weeks with a calf strain. The England international has featured in just three league fixtures this season.
“It is bad, bad, bad news for Liverpool that Daniel Sturridge is facing up to another month on the sidelines. Not so much because the Reds will be without far and away their best striker and one of the top forwards in the Premier League,” Reds’ legend Mark Lawrenson told the Liverpool Echo.
“But Sturridge’s continued absence will have an ongoing effect on the way Brendan Rodgers’ side play. Teams will be able to keep on pushing tight on Liverpool’s forward line and closing the spaces.
“Opponents will look to pin the Reds back in midfield and that won’t give their creative players much room in which to manoeuvre.
“Believe me, there’s nothing better as a defender knowing you are playing against forwards who are not going to beat you in a foot race. It helps a defence compact the game and that is going to detract from way Rodgers’ likes to set up his teams.
“I can’t see the Reds playing both Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert up front. It will be one or the other.”
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