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

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Failed at every club, country don't want him.. Must be something in it, want him to do well but he almost likes making himself indefensible

[Tribute]

Mario Balotelli

The transfer record is looking more and more shaky recently. Lovren, Balotelli, Markovic - a lot of money spent on them and sure, you can say early days - but you would expect to see at least a glimpse of what the management thought these players might bring to the team by now. Its perfectly ok to expect to see at least some progress with the signings that have been made after 10 games. I know Brendan has said we might have to go back a bit for long term progress, but some of the players look like they will never be able to progress the collective. Its worrying.

Maybe so, but both Lucas and more recently Henderson we're both 'absolute tripe' for months if not a whole season after they arrived. It took them a while to 'get it'... I'm still hopeful at least Markovic can do that. Lovren isn't getting any better and Balotelli is pretty damn clueless from what I've seen this season

[Daniel 7]

We don't have Sturridge, it sounds simple, but there is no movement and anticipation, no harrying the defence and no pressurising opposition players into mistakes.

Remember the 6-0 v Newcastle? I'd love it if they would do that again - they're not going to play like that with Lambert and Balotelli though.

[frank the tank]

Surely he has it in him to change.

I can be a nightmare in work, I'm 35 years of age, childish, aggressive at time but this past year or so I've worked hard albeit with a lot of support and a lot of belief in me.

Ballotelli can do the same, he clearly has talent we all know that but he definitely needs help to improve himself. This is a chance for Rodgers to show how good a coach he really is if he can turn this lad's career around.

i was sure you were about 15......

[DannyMan2006]

He was a gamble, everyone's said this, even Rodgers himself. Clearly he wasn't number one choice, and again, Rodgers has said this. So stop going on about things already known.

Mario Balotelli has a great opportunity here and it's down to him (also said by Rodgers). Wait and see. I think he did okay tonight, he's not the reason we lost. He didn't close down Kroos for a goal, but not many strikers think like that. There's a reason he never used to defend corners. He may challenge in the first phase, but after that he's a passenger. That said a closer look shows there's s player breaking wide angel may have to spin off to, so may explain lapse by Mario.

The one annoying thing for me tonight was his lack of ability on the ball. Either doesn't see those around him quick enough, or he's too greedy. Then he does an excellent trap from a high ball and sulked when a player didn't read it. Trying to play the blame game.

[Daniel 7]

Maybe so, but both Lucas and more recently Henderson we're both 'absolute tripe' for months if not a whole season after they arrived. It took them a while to 'get it'... I'm still hopeful at least Markovic can do that. Lovren isn't getting any better and Balotelli is pretty damn clueless from what I've seen this season

Yeah, Markovic might have something. Or he might be mentally somewhere else and a bad fit. He certainly doesn't look anything like the confident, attacking player he sold himself as when he arrived though. What else was he going to say in his joining interview though? "Just wait until you see me play a first time lay off to the full back!" or "You'll be amazed when you see me take 5 steps forward and lay it off to the midfielder square rather than have a bit of ambition and beat a man!"

This is the quandary of judging signings early I suppose - we're happy to praise them when they start well (Enrique should be Spain's left back!). It can all change. It won't with Mario though, he is balls.

[frank the tank]

This is a chance for Rodgers to show how good a coach he really is if he can turn this lad's career around.

i suspect that is why he was signed by Brendan. I think BR's ego was such that he wanted to prove himself....that he could get a song out of a player that coaches like Mourinho and Mancini couldnt.....

I think we are lumbered with the guy to be honest. What ****er is going to want him if he doesnt do it at LFC? Someone Juve might loan him if we pay 90% of his wages but in reality i wouldnt be so sure that they'd ****in bother......

[Phoenix07]

Rodgers likes players who attack and space, not have the ball played to feet, which is what Balotelli and Lambert prefer.

It's all about the creation and use of space, which none of our forwards except maybe Borini can do.

I think some serious work has to go into Mario's movement to try and gain some sort of positive. He has excellent hold-up ability, but that isn't required for our game. He can strike a ball well, but his decision-making is suspect. Yet, that is another key component for a forward player who'd fit into our system.

I really hope he can turn things around.

[DannyMan2006]

We don't have Sturridge, it sounds simple, but there is no movement and anticipation, no harrying the defence and no pressurising opposition players into mistakes.

Remember the 6-0 v Newcastle? I'd love it if they would do that again - they're not going to play like that with Lambert and Balotelli though.

Exactly. This this this.

We needed another Sturridge. Lambert was plan B. We've signed another Rickie Lambert when we should have signed a better Borini. A mobile front man who will work his socks off and run the channels.

Look at Benzema tonight. Cavani at PSG. I hear we may have gone for both. But you don't sign a target man if you can't get a mobile front man. You sign a worse player than Balo, but one that tits your system. If not, stick with Fabio.

[Tribute]

Exactly. This this this.

We needed another Sturridge. Lambert was plan B. We've signed another Rickie Lambert when we should have signed a better Borini. A mobile front man who will work his socks off and run the channels.

Look at Benzema tonight. Cavani at PSG. I hear we may have gone for both. But you don't sign a target man if you can't get a mobile front man. You sign a worse player than Balo, but one that tits your system. If not, stick with Fabio.

Behrani...

[Tribute]

Exactly. This this this.

We needed another Sturridge. Lambert was plan B. We've signed another Rickie Lambert when we should have signed a better Borini. A mobile front man who will work his socks off and run the channels.

Look at Benzema tonight. Cavani at PSG. I hear we may have gone for both. But you don't sign a target man if you can't get a mobile front man. You sign a worse player than Balo, but one that tits your system. If not, stick with Fabio.

I also like 'tits your system'... Might use that at work ;-)

[Joey Jones]

Exactly. This this this.

We needed another Sturridge. Lambert was plan B. We've signed another Rickie Lambert when we should have signed a better Borini. A mobile front man who will work his socks off and run the channels.

Look at Benzema tonight. Cavani at PSG. I hear we may have gone for both. But you don't sign a target man if you can't get a mobile front man. You sign a worse player than Balo, but one that tits your system. If not, stick with Fabio.

[Daniel 7]

Behrani...

Berahino you mean?

[Tribute]

Berahino you mean?

Yep, predictive ****e again

[Tee]

FFS he was actually not that bad tonight tbf, but it has been patently clear for a few games that he just does not suit us.