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

[Roboklopp]

No he wasn't. The fact that's the case though says more of the rest of them than him.

[McDermotX]

He was meh, like the rest of them.
Frequently caught offside, once while he missed one of the easiest chances he's had in his time here. Could have strangled himself and Sterling on one particular call late in the game.

Unfairly called offside for the one he put away. Villa had stopped playing though to be fair, but he still put it away, somewhat halfheartedly.

Sell, or give away. Don't care which.

[Muddled]

The game was crying out for a striker to stay central, but Balotelli (perhaps under instruction) kept drifting wide. He had an impact on the game, but I would expect that of player when we were chasing a place in the cup final. Unfortunately, Balotelli's strengths are not to complementary to the strengths of the team. Our play slows down as soon as he has control of the ball; Him slowly coming back from an offside position is to the detriment of our counter attack ... he has ability (when applied), but will never have the right ability for a team setup under Rodgers.

And he should have planted his head on that Henderson cross, offside or not.

[danperkins]

Yeah was saying that yesterday, very frustrating. IMO he just doesn't have the instincts or positional sense of a top quality forward.... he gets drawn to the ball and not into the spaces where he should be.

It wasn't just yesterday, he's been doing this since he joined. I don't know what he was like at other clubs but for us so far, he vacates the positions where he should be and either gets drawn out wide or deep.

Hearing some people say he was good etc which personally I think is a wee bit of an exaggeration, he was ok.

[Roboklopp]

Aye.

[danperkins]

Interesting to see him playing in midfield today

[Phoenix07]

He always drops off deep and plays in the left channel. It's nothing new.

[fidget]

Interesting to see him playing in midfield today

Was hoping to see Gerrard there.

[Vermilion]

Have to say i feel a bit cheated, i know many lfc fans feel that way about the signing and outcome, but i'm not talking about that, i'm on about the fact that he seemed to combine well with a fit Sturridge, but we never got the chance to see it develop.

If Sturridge had stayed fit all season, i think we'd have seen a better Balotelli, how much better is open for debate, i know many will say it was just a game, and he'd have regressed anyway, Sturridge or not, but i'd have liked to have found out, and really feel we'd have had a much better season.

[Shaggy]

Some dire lay offs today. Drove me potty.

[danperkins]

He always drops off deep and plays in the left channel. It's nothing new.

In a team that needs a striker and playing with one up top. Not really condusive.

[Phoenix07]

I agree, but he's someone who strikes me as though he can't be trained to learn new methods. He won't be here next season (at least I hope not), so I'm not too fussed.

[danperkins]

I agree, but he's someone who strikes me as though he can't be trained to learn new methods. He won't be here next season (at least I hope not), so I'm not too fussed.

be delighted when he goes, been a shocking signing.

[G]

I hope he won't be here next season but other than us, who would be stupid enough to pay actual money for him? I sense a loan which massively favours the club doing the loaning.

[Daniel 7]

A Turkish club. got no basis for that, just a gut feel.