10 Liverpool Players Who Should Fear For Their Future
5. Mario Balotelli
''I can categorically tell you Balotelli will not be at Liverpool. - Brendan Rodgers, August 2014.
Whether that statement was a huge smokescreen for Liverpools work behind the scenes in attracting AC Milans Italian maverick to the club, or simply the Reds boss not anticipating that he would have to go back on his word in a state of desperation, we will never know. One thing that is for sure, however, is that Mario Balotelli is enduring a torrid time at Anfield. With moves for the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Loic Remy having fallen apart during the summer, Rodgers raised an eyebrow or two by signing the anti-thesis of his philosophy. Gone was the hard-working, elusive and frenetic Luis Suarez, and in his place was the static, cumbersome target man in the form of Balotelli. He has managed to find the back of the net twice - in the Champions League and Capital One Cup - but has never truly looked like scoring in the league. Former Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher claimed in the wake of the Reds humiliating 3-0 reversal at home to Real Madrid that he would be surprised if the Italian was still at the club next season.
''I cant change the way I feel about Balotelli, and thats nothing to do with what hes done in a Liverpool shirt. Its what hes done at Man City, what hes done at AC Milan. Do I think hes going to be here long term? No. Id be surprised to see him here next season if Im being honest. These players, who are continually moved on, its for a reason. - Jamie Carragher, October 2014.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
