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

[Helios Creed]

I'm convinced that we only started scoring when he didn't get the ball - possibly deliberately by our players...

[baitman]

its like taking to the field with 10 men, how we miss andy carroll

[topscorer]

its like taking to the field with 10 men, how we miss andy carroll

Sturridge misses him more, he'd have some company in the recovery room

[McDermotX]

So, if Mario plays tonight, how many pot-shots do we think he'll have?

Big game, eyes of the world on Anfield tonight, anything closer than 40yds is a chance in his eyes, it's all about me etc etc

Of course, one of them will eventually go in. Better be tonight.

[RedReet]

He simply just has to perform tonight, no more excuses.

He knows he now needs to deliver, the atmosphere will be like nothing he's ever experienced before and he's on the biggest stage against the current holders. He better ****ing do the business.

[wiw]

No time to sulk when you have 40,000 fans roaring you on. This is his time to shine

[Trippendicular]

Lack of goals is not the only problem. Crouch took yonks to score, but at least his build up play gave us hope. I completely fail to see how his team mates are responsible for him not having scored once from 30 shots. 21 of which just gave the opponent a goal kick. He has been set up on a plate several times too, nobody to blame but himself for those. A disfunctional system does not excuse the continual, abysmal wastefulness he exhibits with the ball in attacking areas and his utter inability to think of the team ahead of himself as an individual. And his history, 1 assist in 3 previous years in the Prem, along side being the least accurate striker in Europe last season, kinda suggests the issue is not just about us.

Everybody seems to want to make excuses for him, he just needed Rodgers to sort his head out, he just needed to get match sharp, he needs a partner, his team mates are to blame. Its all nonsense. This is Mario, this is how he has played in 95% of his whole career up to now, open goal misses mostly aside. Ask a City fan how many good games he had for them.

What baffles me is the kind of people so quick to defend Balotelli will be the same decrying players like Markovic and Lallana etc, who, even if they initially struggled, look like they're at least trying. Balotelli has been getting by on name alone and is still getting support from fans who would write off a 19-year-old after 2 games.

[Trippendicular]

Not glee, absolute, all consuming frustration. I utterly detest watching him play for us in a way I think only Heskey at his worst matched.

Who says he has been good in any way?

Thing is Alex, that isn't all he is. I can handle the misses, and I can accept a system argument for some of his all round play. What I cannot get with is the disgraceful waste of good possession with the constant, aimless shooting every time he gets the ball within 30 yards of goal, no matter how many teammates are around him or in better positions. You play with him, why would you bother to keep running beyond him into the box when you know the return ball just will not come?

Give me Lambert any day.

They highlighted on MOTD how other players were getting frustrated with Balotelli after wasting possession for the umpteenth time. I honestly think he's going to be detrimental to the team in the long run if he doesn't turn it around.

[Slinky Skills]

So, if Mario plays tonight, how many pot-shots do we think he'll have?

Big game, eyes of the world on Anfield tonight, anything closer than 40yds is a chance in his eyes, it's all about me etc etc

Of course, one of them will eventually go in. Better be tonight.

I'm going for 4.

He simply just has to perform tonight, no more excuses.

He knows he now needs to deliver, the atmosphere will be like nothing he's ever experienced before and he's on the biggest stage against the current holders. He better ****ing do the business.

He won't perform tonight, if he does it will be for 10-15 minutes at most before he starts sulking, moping around and blasting shots into the top corner of the Kop like he normally does instead of seeking his teamates.

[Pablo]

I see tonight as a real indicator of what he's capable of. If he can't raise his game tonight again this opposition, and with the atmosphere he's going to experience, then he never will. This is a big chance for him to prove himself.

If he fails to take it he's bombed out for the Hull game.

[Tee]

I see tonight as a real indicator of what he's capable of. If he can't raise his game tonight again this opposition, and with the atmosphere he's going to experience, then he never will. This is a big chance for him to prove himself.

If he fails to take it he's bombed out for the Hull game.

[spud_gun]

I see tonight as a real indicator of what he's capable of. If he can't raise his game tonight again this opposition, and with the atmosphere he's going to experience, then he never will. This is a big chance for him to prove himself.

If he fails to take it he's bombed out for the Hull game.

It'll be very interesting to see how he reacts.

[Pablo]

Sums him up all too well:

[Bender]

I see tonight as a real indicator of what he's capable of. If he can't raise his game tonight again this opposition, and with the atmosphere he's going to experience, then he never will. This is a big chance for him to prove himself.

If he fails to take it he's bombed out for the Hull game.

All due respect and point taken,but every player should raise there game each time they play for LFC not just the elite games.

[Pablo]

All due respect and point taken,but every player should raise there game each time they play for LFC not just the elite games.

Thank you Captain Obvious.