Few paragraphs regarding Balotelli from today's Mirror....
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpools-mario-balotelli-struggling-eric-4512561.
Does the manager truly believe he can develop Balotelli, just as he did Suarez?
“Yes. He probably is a player that likes to drift and open up spaces for others and get opportunities from that. Tactically, I think he can play a number of positions.
"He is 6ft 3in, quick and strong. You look to play to players' strengths. I think you are never too old to learn. They key is if you want to learn. That is the key question. And I think Mario does.
"He will be disappointed because he had two big chances. The header was one. The ball comes into the box… I could see John Aldridge there. It was a great opportunity.
“Then there was the one at the end, but it wasn’t to be. It just didn’t fall for him.
"He wants to do it though, he’s out there on the training pitch, and he’s getting into the positions. It will come.”
There was one more snapshot of Balotelli, after his injury time miss. The whistle went immediately, as he sat on his haunches in the six-yard box.
Eventually, he trudged from there to the tunnel, fully 70 yards, eyes fixed to the turf without raising his head once.
No one came to him. No one looked at him. He looked at no one. Alone in his misery
What a put down...being compared to John Aldridge. Rodgers must think hes a cult figure as opposed to a... another type of figure.
The last few lines made me think of Gerrard and his bandwagoneering with Suarez....remember the Palace game, showboating to the camera with his arms round the supposedly tearful Suarez and gesturing for the sky camera to leave him alone. The supportive protective captain. But only with the crowd's favourite seemingly.