Mario Balotelli hasn’t had the impact that Liverpool fans, the club and himself would have wanted but that isn’t to say all hope is lost for super Mario. Balotelli, as a potentially key cog for this Liverpool side, can make a success of his time at Liverpool and turn into the cult hero many Liverpool fans envisaged for him upon his £16 million move from AC Milan. Saying this, however, something is not right at the moment and the club and Balotelli himself are yet to find the root of his ongoing problems: plaguing him consisitently.
The supporters’ view on Liverpool’s newest talisman seems to have deteriorated as time has gone on and so has Balotelli’s desire to do well; at least according to the media. Many sensible fans: this writer included, refuse to believe these false claims as when one looks at Balotelli and his game it is quite easy to see a potentially world class player out of his comfort zone looking to express himself and displays his talents to a waiting audience. To display the talents he clearly has you need to find what is wrong with him, and obviously Balotelli and LFC are yet to find out what it is. So, is Balotelli’s time running out? No, rather Balotelli’s problems are fixable ones, they are as follows:
1. His work ethic is not up to the standard of a Liverpool F.C player.
2. He cannot play up top as a lone striker, something the Liverpool team has persisted with.
3. He looks for goal too often, this has happened more as the goal drought continued. This indicates to me that he is anxious and desperate to prove himself. Sadly, even if it comes at the expense of the team at the time.
4. He lets the media get to him and influence the way he acts on and off the football pitch, hence the desire to get a goal and prove everyone wrong.
So after highlighting the problems plaguing Mario Balotelli’s game you would be called delusional to think that these problems were impossibly amended. Adding to this it is evident that he is willing to change. He shows more emotion at his dire play then he did at the clubs he played for prior to Liverpool. Baring in mind he played under some of his favorite coaches and even his favorite club in Milan. The passion is there with Liverpool’s number 45, he just has a funny way of showing it.
With the squad on the up and the performances improving of late it’s safe to say that Mario Balotelli isn’t seen as a first team player currently, numerous times have passed when he has been left out of the matchday squad due to certain ‘events’. This could all change – and fast – with the eagerly awaited return of Liverpool’s talisman Daniel Sturridge. The one thing I looked forward to was how the partnership between these two would form when we signed Balotelli in the summer. To be fair to both of them the signs of a new type of ‘SAS’ were there when Liverpool took on Spurs, arguably Balotelli’s best game. He was alert to every situation, fast on his feet and showed a desire to fight for his team. The only thing that eluded the Italian that day was a goal. Although Liverpool’s form has improved greatly and a formation change could be horrific many still think it should be pursued. The idea may come under criticism, but playing these two up front could very well propel both of these players into the world -class bracket along with the wonder-kid (Madrid-bound) Raheem Sterling.
So, as we can see Mario for all his antics Mario is a good player. Many would say things like ‘cut our losses and let him leave now’. This does not suit anyone as the likelihood is that Mario would leave and score a bucket load of goals at some other team. Then, it will be seen as much more of a negative than it seems currently, Therefore, Liverpool’s persistence: in turn taking a chance with Mario Balotelli, could turn out to be one of the best decisions this club has made in a few years.
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