During a rare appearance for the first team last night, €20m Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli finally scored a Premier League goal for Liverpool. It's been a long time coming, but it's not like he's had many chances to score this year. Since January 10th, Brendan Rodgers has excluded the Italian from LFC's match-day squad on SIX separate occasions, and failed to offer a reason why. Well, all has now been revealed.
In his post-match press conference, Rodgers' assistant, Colin Pascoe told reporters:
"It was great movement from Mario in the six-yard box. I hope it can be a springboard, he is training hard. The last couple of weeks he's been ill and had gashes on his feet so couldn't get his boots on"
'Gashes' on his feet? That seems like a strange injury to incur, especially given the world-class facilities, equipment, coaches, and medical staff elite players have at their beck and call.
Pascoe specifically mentions the 'last couple of weeks', but that only goes back to the beginning of February; what about the games in January where Balotelli didn't make the squad?
For those, it seems that Rodgers - for whatever reason - simply dropped Balotelli, and he'll probably do the same again for Liverpool's next game.
Like all Reds fans, Anfield legend Ian Rush is hopeful that Balotelli will push on and score more goals. Speaking to Sky Sports today, he enthused:
“I’m pleased for him [Balotelli] to get the winner. The crowd have always been behind him so I think we need just need to get behind him. Hopefully that’s the start of many more to come from him.”
Balotelli - recently labelled by Jamie Redknapp as a 'disaster signing' - will almost certainly leave Liverpool this summer, so I hope he scores a few goals to fool prospective clubs into thinking he's worth £10m-£16m.
The Reds will inevitably end up making a loss, but if Balotelli scores a few goals between now and the end of the season, it may help to minimise that loss.
Author: Jaimie K
In his post-match press conference, Rodgers' assistant, Colin Pascoe told reporters:
"It was great movement from Mario in the six-yard box. I hope it can be a springboard, he is training hard. The last couple of weeks he's been ill and had gashes on his feet so couldn't get his boots on"
'Gashes' on his feet? That seems like a strange injury to incur, especially given the world-class facilities, equipment, coaches, and medical staff elite players have at their beck and call.
Pascoe specifically mentions the 'last couple of weeks', but that only goes back to the beginning of February; what about the games in January where Balotelli didn't make the squad?
For those, it seems that Rodgers - for whatever reason - simply dropped Balotelli, and he'll probably do the same again for Liverpool's next game.
Like all Reds fans, Anfield legend Ian Rush is hopeful that Balotelli will push on and score more goals. Speaking to Sky Sports today, he enthused:
“I’m pleased for him [Balotelli] to get the winner. The crowd have always been behind him so I think we need just need to get behind him. Hopefully that’s the start of many more to come from him.”
Balotelli - recently labelled by Jamie Redknapp as a 'disaster signing' - will almost certainly leave Liverpool this summer, so I hope he scores a few goals to fool prospective clubs into thinking he's worth £10m-£16m.
The Reds will inevitably end up making a loss, but if Balotelli scores a few goals between now and the end of the season, it may help to minimise that loss.
Author: Jaimie K
The initial dropping is most certainly due to poor play. However, "Gashes on his feet" might've not been a football related injury. Maybe he dropped a glass or plate and it shattered and he got shards in his foot? Maybe his new dogs got a bit angry? Maybe he stepped on nails for some odd reason? Maybe he met Suarez for the first time? Maybe Bowser got the better of him? :P Regardless, he's back and well now, and hopefully he can create some semblance form.
ReplyDelete"For those, it seems that Rodgers - for whatever reason - simply dropped Balotelli, and he'll probably do the same again for Liverpool's next game."
ReplyDelete"For whatever reason"???.... Really??? You need an explanation for Balotellis omission from the squad in the second half of the season?
I suggest you get your hands on some tapes of the first half of the season.
Can't believe some people are getting carried away with this tap-in... A crap defender won the game for United tonight, scoring 2.
I always feel sorry for the rest of the squad when he comes on... Lucas would have more goals playing as striker for us and that's saying something...
It seems at the end of your post you do state that he's not good enough yet you still need to use his exile as a stick to beat Rogers with...
Balotelli's form was poor to start with, He had his chances to prove his worth at the start of the season. We had poor results then, Then he gets fined for racist posting on social media. He was dropped for disciplinary,
ReplyDeleteand bad form. If he was ill or injured foot could be just excuses. But the first two reasons are good enough for me to be dropped.
I'll take Pascoe on his word, he has no reason to make up some rediculous excuse for the media. Rodgers isn't shy about not using players who don't fit the required tactics and he certainly hasn't held back when it comes to saying things specifically about Balotelli. Why start now? If he was dropped then he'd say so, and that applies to whoever does the press conference.
ReplyDeleteI'm not convinced that Balotelli will be sold. What purpose would it serve? There seems to be a notion among Liverpool fans that if he's not performing well then there is an urgent need to get rid of him, get him away from the team. I think that's just an emotional reaction, we want to see someone "solve" the problem and take some kind of affirmative action. But really I don't see the point. Balotelli seems well liked by his team mates, he's working hard and he's capable of having an impact in games. If he ends up being an impact player off the bench then so be it. City and Chelsea have had far more expensive players serve long periods on the bench, it's the formula that many top sides seem to follow.
While Mario wasn't making the squad during January I did wonder if he was being protected and offered to other clubs. It didn't transpire and the club seems honest enough in their intention to stick with him and try to find a solution. Perhaps if a good offer comes in the summer he'll be let go but it will need to be close to the original transfer fee. I don't see Liverpool selling him for less than 12 million pounds with maybe some add-ons. Otherwise I expect to see him stay around and continue to try and find his place in the team. He's slowly improving and the goal against Spurs was a good example of how his approach to the game has change.
My thoughts exactly,hope Mario scores a few more goals so we can up his selling price.
ReplyDeleteBalotelli ain't going nowhere. He has a lot to do at Liverpool yet.
ReplyDeleteSome just don't want to admit they were conned by all the hype surrounding Balotelli. They will never stop making excuses for him.
ReplyDeletedont think there was anyone conned by the HYPE the MEDIA created,,well no self respecting LFC supporter..
ReplyDeletewe all knew that balo was not gonna be a big hit for the simple fact he does not fit ino the style of play (Plan A)..even Rickie Lambert was also a bit of a dry thought BUT on the Plan B side we could see them both play a part...if anyone thougth that these two were bought as goal scoring machines then they were deluded...
Balotelli is an easy target, let's be honest the whole team was poor at the start of the season, the lad can't do anything right, why always him? He has been playing as a lone striker, anyone who knows Balo knows he is not that type of player.He worked his socks off when he came on against Spurs.
ReplyDeletePlaying alongside Sturridge we will see the best from him.
As long as he wears the red of Liverpool get behind him and maybe just maybe he will reward our patience.YNWA
I reckon Balotelli will move back to Italy at the start of next season.
ReplyDelete"There seems to be a notion among Liverpool fans that if he's not
ReplyDeleteperforming well then there is an urgent need to get rid of him, get him
away from the team."
Nailed it with that whole paragraph.
New pig pedicure gone wrong
ReplyDeleteI agree. Why get talk of getting rid of him now when he's starting to improve. It has taken many of the new signings time to settle in, not least because it took Rodgers a few months to find the right system, so it's not unreasonable to give Mario a bit more time.
ReplyDeleteI think Rodgers knew Mario was going to be a project that would take some time. He's super talented, but obviously needs to have his head screwed on the right way and be prepared to work hard to fit in our system. Hopefully the goal will boost his confidence too and we see him make the most of his ability.
ReplyDeleteSamsung owners daughter- kneel before me puny human, how dare you offer nuts to me in a bag- maybe Ski should have a crazy squirrel on their shirts for remainder of their contract-the one from Ice Age would do
ReplyDeletel.1 sp. "rediculous" -- pretty sure this should be "ridonkulous".
ReplyDeleteHmmm how bout Borini? He revive a bit but seem some unexplained reason he will be cast away AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBecause he's sh*t.
ReplyDeleteIf he starts scoring a few goals then I don't see the point in selling him in the summer. Underneath that laziness (which is maybe disappearing) is a very talented individual. For god's sake, give the guy time, his talent is worth it. Plus, how do we know there will be one guy in the dressing room not happy? Now people are just resorting to guessing to fit their anti mario agenda. Pathetic
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, dropping him is inevitable. Balotelli has always said he works best in a partnership. However, switching to 3-4-3 has brought us our share of points recently and it doesn't make sense to change the system to accommodate Balotelli. The only position he could fill in a 3-4-3 is up front on his own but Sturridge is much better suited to play there. So with Gerrard and Lucas out for a couple of weeks, I'm afraid we're going to have to endure the return on Joe Allen and hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteI did wonder what was actually wrong with him.
ReplyDeleteFor the FA cup game vs Crystal Palace I would play:
GK- Mig
RCB- Lovren (good cameo on Tuesday, needs to build on that)
CB- Skrtel
LCB- Sakho
LWB- Ibe (played really well, on the left he can cut in and be a threat)
RWB- Manquillo (I don't think he deserved to be dropped, not that good going forward but solid defensively & other option is Johnson)
CM- Allen (I know I know, but Henderson needs a rest)
CM- Can (with SG injured he can cement his place as CM)
AMC- Lallana ( good cameo on Tuesday, needs to build on that)
ST- Balotelli (just scored, confidence has increased and needs mins)
FW- Sturridge (needs the match fitness)
Don't sell him if he starts scoring. Stupid idea.
ReplyDeleteThere's the explanation
ReplyDeletelovren should be given some time as a CB again. he needs to build confidence he's a good defender at all
ReplyDeletepretty accurate
ReplyDeleteAre we doing the Ibe is cup tied repeat again or the Rodgers out for not playing Ibe when he is cup tied? Forum consensus?
ReplyDeleteAlso, let him celebrate however he wants. Jeez people focus way too much on the superficial these days, not enough substantive. How do we know a team mate didn't like his final whistle walk off? Resorting to guessing to fit the anti mario agenda?
ReplyDeleteAgree Hendo hasn't been at his best. Who did BR scout the other night?
ReplyDeleteNick is that yoU???
ReplyDeletePut his feet in the wrong fish tank...
ReplyDeleteOh no! Can't believe I forgot that one!
ReplyDeleteLets sign Emile Heskey!
ReplyDeleteAnd Paul Lambert manager!
Oh happy days!
I hear he went to see the Parma vs Chievo game yesterday if I am not mistaken. Not sure which player though.
ReplyDeleteOr perhaps he's after the Napoli job. Can't see any Parma or Chievo player that has ever been linked so this is out of the blue.
ReplyDeleteThis post is way too dumb to be written by nick.
ReplyDeletePeople, Bastian Schwainsteiger said he is leaving! Now that would be a signing...
ReplyDeleteNovak Djokovic had blisters on his feet, Nadal too...
ReplyDeleteWe should offer him anything he wants.
ReplyDeleteI a m so bored...
ReplyDeleteI would play Ibe vs Place, anyone?
Indeed. One of the best midfielder in last 10 years. And he'll be 31 next September, so being a German, he has enough to offer..
ReplyDeleteI would put Kane as more of a prospect. Sterling is too lightweight by far and is very easily barged off the ball more than he progresses with it. He also tries much too many flourishing dribbles that do not come off and nearly always end up with 3 opponents close in front and the inevitable flooring that follows. Kane is team player thoroughly in contrast to Sterling who believes his own hype and often ignores a more productive and possible goal chance to another team mate. I know this sounds like I am denigrating the other accomplishments of Raheem but until he settles down to playing as a very competent team member and stops what appears to be a belief that he is God's gift etc.etc. his present faults could become an immoveable impediment. Okay, I'm getting ready for the lambasting on all this - ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt will be a most inspiring signing. A bona fide great of the game.
ReplyDeleteI don't get why Rodgers doesn't play Ibe when he's cup-tied. He's making a rod for his own back. Selection negligence of the highest order.
ReplyDeleteThat's my hope, too. It's worth the extra effort, if any.
ReplyDeletethis again?
ReplyDeletenobody taking the bait.......
ReplyDeleteOk, I'll go to TIA and say 'Rogers is great' to Jason Car..
ReplyDeleteI remember similar things being said about Lucas when he joined. Although Lucas was working hard during every game and had the full backing of RB at the time.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind a few German players on the team :)
ReplyDeleteHahahahahahaha "maybe he met suarez fr the first time".... Lol
ReplyDeleteJust wait til the casuals turn up on match day, we'll reel them in by the dozen. :)
ReplyDeleteFor once we agree ;-)
ReplyDeleteWest Ham Harry Potter chant at Anfield
ReplyDeleteDidn't know about that, good one...
Get him out of my great club. Cup tied? The excuses are sickening.
ReplyDeleteAccording to you, he worked his socks off in one game. Says it all really.
ReplyDeleteGotta be both surely.
ReplyDeleteYeah, like a Zimmer frame and a box for all his football memories. Cause once he arrives and everyone spends the first half of the season running away from him ala Gerrard, he will get slated, told he's past it and no where near being the player he was.
ReplyDeleteYeah. That was pretty clever. I always thought he looked more like Dr. Evil than Voldemort.
ReplyDeleteWhat sport are you watching...
ReplyDeletePlays for Spurs?
ReplyDeleteSo how do you think he got the "Gashes" on his feet Jaimie? please enlighten us
ReplyDeleteAll the lad needs is to wake up one morning in the same world as everyone else. A world that does not revolve around a self obsessed talent wastrel.
ReplyDeleteim assuming that everyone is in favour of selling lovren too because he cost more than balo and has played a whole lot worse
ReplyDeleteyet lovren,allen ,borini and all the other dross get a free ride on both fee and quality
ReplyDeleteOh yea they've had a free ride, nobody EVER criticises Lovren, Allen and Borini, they're bona fide fan favourites...
ReplyDeletethey dont generate half as much bias and venom as balo does ...he comes on and scores and still gets slated,He hasn't scored that many but he has never really played that bad either ,lovren,gerrard,mingo and most of the liverpool team have had some shocking individual performances this year and in some cases its hardly been mentioned
ReplyDeleteabout the sane time they moved gerrard from dm and dropped lovren..
ReplyDeleteAs I said, I understand the concept, but for me the discussion needs to move beyond concepts and show some real world examples. The point of contention will be at what point a player is truly "over-incentivised". Rodgers, as you know, was talking primarily about money as he is quoted above. No doubt paying a player too much will eventually have an impact on their performances. I'm talking about overtly positive comments in the media. In my view it's not conclusive that a smattering of comments in the media has a significant impact but it's an idea you push repeatedly.
ReplyDeleteAll you've really shown is that it's possible. And I agree, it's possible. But does it really happen? If it does and it has such a significant effect then it shouldn't really be that hard to demonstrate, at least once. I'd challenge you to move beyond the idea and find some real evidence that this effect is genuine, in the specific context that you're referring to. Find one player who was grossly over praised as a youngster and a peer who was similarly talented but NOT over-praised. Then show the differences in career path where the player who was over-praised failed to do as well as the player who was not.
This isn't disingenuous at all, with so many promising players out there not making it at the top level I'm guessing that you'll be able to do it and it will then make for a very interesting discussion as we can then all offer our own views as to how and why those two players progressed differently as they did. There will be lots of factors involved and it will be quite an involved process to isolate the effects of the media treatment.
When you've finished with that stick please let me have it.....my one has been used many times and knacked so I'm I need of another one....poor guy my heart bleeds for him.
ReplyDelete