Mario Balotelli will win 'struggle' to make the grade at Liverpool FC
Mario Balotelli “will win this struggle” to make the grade at Liverpool FC – while rumours of a falling out with Brendan Rodgers have been dismissed.
Speculation intensified over Balotelli’s Anfield future after he was left out of the matchday squad for the goalless FA Cup fourth round draw with Bolton Wanderers last Saturday.
Reds boss Rodgers subsequently admitted the striker was finding it difficult to adapt to Liverpool’s new tactical approach but has not given up hope of the Italian making a breakthrough at Anfield.
And Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola, insists the player wants to prove his £16million move from AC Milan was not a mistake.
“Yes, he is happy at Liverpool,” said Raiola. “Nobody is happy to be left out, but he reacted in a professional way.
“Mario will win this struggle and become better. It is then up to Brendan Rodgers to give him a chance.
“Mario needs to adapt and Liverpool need to adapt.
“He was injured and moved to a big club. This move was the right thing to do in his career. He’s still one of the best in the world.
“We didn’t ask to leave. It is too early, with the injury, to say we leave in January.
“There are no big problems. He’s adapting to a new style that the manager wants. We’ll see in the summer.”
Balotelli has yet to score a Premier League goal for Liverpool and hasn’t started a game since November.
Raiola also played down suggestions Balotelli and Rodgers are struggling to work together.
“They’re talking and it is a good relationship,” he said.
“Mario likes him. They do not agree on everything – it is technical reasons they don’t agree on – but Mario will strive to give the manager what he wants.”
Mario Balotelli “will win this struggle” to make the grade at Liverpool FC – while rumours of a falling out with Brendan Rodgers have been dismissed.
Speculation intensified over Balotelli’s Anfield future after he was left out of the matchday squad for the goalless FA Cup fourth round draw with Bolton Wanderers last Saturday.
Reds boss Rodgers subsequently admitted the striker was finding it difficult to adapt to Liverpool’s new tactical approach but has not given up hope of the Italian making a breakthrough at Anfield.
And Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola, insists the player wants to prove his £16million move from AC Milan was not a mistake.
“Yes, he is happy at Liverpool,” said Raiola. “Nobody is happy to be left out, but he reacted in a professional way.
“Mario will win this struggle and become better. It is then up to Brendan Rodgers to give him a chance.
“Mario needs to adapt and Liverpool need to adapt.
“He was injured and moved to a big club. This move was the right thing to do in his career. He’s still one of the best in the world.
“We didn’t ask to leave. It is too early, with the injury, to say we leave in January.
“There are no big problems. He’s adapting to a new style that the manager wants. We’ll see in the summer.”
Balotelli has yet to score a Premier League goal for Liverpool and hasn’t started a game since November.
Raiola also played down suggestions Balotelli and Rodgers are struggling to work together.
“They’re talking and it is a good relationship,” he said.
“Mario likes him. They do not agree on everything – it is technical reasons they don’t agree on – but Mario will strive to give the manager what he wants.”
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