Mario Balotelli [On the Road to Ballon d'or)

[vonk]

This problem, if it becomes one, is of Brendan's making. Clearly Balotelli should be just behind Gerrard in the taking penalties stakes - his fantastic stats back that up; so the manager should respect his ability. By selecting Henderson ahead of him it has given the potential for this to happen.

Rodgers should come out at the next press conference and clear the air by saying that Balotelli is a fantastic penalty taker and is Gerrard's deputy.

Back to Mario and I thought he did great when he came on - and if the penny has indeed dropped then there's still the chance he can turn his LFC career around. Looked a real threat.

Rodgers: "It's very clear who the penalty takers are. When Steven plays he is number one. With the players on at the start of the game Jordan was nominated penalty taker.
"But if Jordan, Steven and Mario are on the pitch at the same time then we normally have Steven or Mario take penalties."

Everyone happy?

[marcus50bucks]

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli needs to work harder, says manager Brendan Rodgers
After coming off the bench to score Liverpool's winner against Besiktas, manager criticises Italian's work-rate

By Chris Bascombe
10:30PM GMT 20 Feb 2015

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has accused Mario Balotelli of undermining his match-winning efforts against Besiktas because of his poor work-rate.

In the latest criticism of the Italian, Rodgers downplayed the idea of the striker enjoying an Anfield renaissance, suggesting he did not put enough effort into the closing stages of the 1-0 Europa League first-leg win in midweek.

Balotelli scored the winning penalty after 85 minutes, with the manager confirming the 25-year-old had his blessing to assume the penalty-taking role ahead of acting captain Jordan Henderson.

However, when speaking directly after Liverpool’s win on Thursday Rodgers expressed irritation at other aspects of Balotelli’s game.

Asked if Balotelli was developing a happy knack of becoming a hero from the bench, Rodgers said: “Well, if he works harder than when he came on, he will do.”

Pushed on whether he was content with the contribution Balotelli made, Rodgers said: “No, not really, no. We need to ensure that whatever level of the game we are playing at we have everyone working as a team but once we get the penalty he stops working. So he needs to improve on that facet of his game to play in his position, rather than standing on the side of the football field.

“He has contributed because he has got the penalty and scored the goal but that is what he is paid to do. So he needs to keep that efficiency in his game and show that he can affect the team whether he is asked to play from the bench or from the start.

“In this team it is about hard work. In a different country and a different style of football that [scoring the goal] would be all that matters but in this team here it’s more than that.”

It is not the first time that Rodgers has publicly criticised the £16 million striker, whose long-term future has looked in doubt since his first few games Merseyside.

Rodgers suggested earlier in the season that Balotelli was unable to adapt to his pressing system, and although the club ruled out a sale during the January window that was largely because of the realisation that they would not recoup their fee.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...-Besiktas.html

He wasn't lazy at all. Rodgers just shut up for once

[MrMichael]

Yup, I'm sure Rodgers is just making that up out of nothing for no reason.

[Chris]

He wasn't lazy at all. Rodgers just shut up for once

How about you shut up for once? All you do is desperately trawl his interviews to pick up something. It's sad as ****, he's not Roy Hodgson. The last time he spoke about Balotelli you also threw a hissy fit but Mario suddenly put in the best performances since he's been here so maybe Rodgers knows what he's doing?

[Paddy]

It is extremely tiresome the fact that people continue to give **** to players when it's not deserved. Agendas etc

[marcus50bucks]

How about you shut up for once? All you do is desperately trawl his interviews to pick up something. It's sad as ****, he's not Roy Hodgson. The last time he spoke about Balotelli you also threw a hissy fit but Mario suddenly put in the best performances since he's been here so maybe Rodgers knows what he's doing?

Trawl interviews? It's an interview about mario so why can't I post it? Rodgers once again criticising mario. Not one person on here said he was lazy the other night so to read that bollocks from Rodgers was surprising. And one more thing. I've told you before if you have a problem. And another thing my posting style won't change so if you have a problem pm me and don't go running your mouth behind your keyboard!

[BobTheCharmer]

I'm surprised at Brendan's comments. I'm hoping they are intended to ensure that mario continues to strive to get better. A cynical view is Brendan really doesn't want him near the team, and these impressive cameos make it harder to ignore him. I have a feeling its the latter, buy hey ho, its just a hunch, nothing more. Gotta to believe the gaffer knows best. It is easy to get accused of over anaylsing everything that is reported. On to Sunday.

[captainfog]

****house comments from Rodgers. AGAIN. Just shut up.

[marcus50bucks]

****house comments from Rodgers. AGAIN. Just shut up.

[Buzzo]

I don't see the need for Brendan to say all this in the press. That said as with Mignolet it seems to have the desired results, it just seems unprofessional. Surely the same result could be achieved without talking about it all to the media?

[poorscousertommy]

Publicly slating players is way out of order in my opinion.

[captainfog]

The other thing is that he is asking Mario to do stuff he has never ever done before. If you don't want a Mario style player then don't sign him in the first place? (Which I wouldnt have done) What did Rodgers expect? Idiot.

[captainfog]

I don't see the need for Brendan to say all this in the press. That said as with Mignolet it seems to have the desired results, it just seems unprofessional. Surely the same result could be achieved without talking about it all to the media?

He was supportive of Ming for most of his time here, the difference here is he has done nothing but slag off Mario ever since he signed.

[Vermilion]

Don't mind BR saying this tbh, if it means every single player we sign comes here knowing that their effort has to be at the max, and that the manager will take no slackers, he is the boss! no ****ing about!

[Buzzo]

I get that, and i genuinely feel for the big fella, it does seem he can't win. You definitely don't see other players being judged so harshly in the press. Mario had a good game by anyone's standards on Thursday.

Hope he Kees it up.