‘Why always me?’ Is Balotelli the scapegoat for Liverpool’s poor season?
By Alan Condon
Mario Balotelli has become a figure of frustration and overwhelming disappointment for Liverpool, but has the Italian striker been scapegoated for the lack of progress shown at Anfield this season?
The look of frustration on Steven Gerrard’s face in Liverpool’s Capital One Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea last night, aimed at the out-of-form striker, summed up Balotelli’s influence to-date at Liverpool.
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Moments after entering the frame, Balotelli misread the Liverpool captain’s through pass, running lazily out of the channel and away from the ball — Gerrard’s facial expression summed up the majority of Balotelli’s performances in a Liverpool shirt.
Balotelli’s reaction? We’ve seen it many times before; a look of total indifference and disdain. Has there ever been a player who’s oozed complete carelessness and indifference to that of his teammates, his manager and his fans on the field? I can’t think of one.
Contemporary soccer players are egotistical by nature, and supporters are willing to put up with this, so long as the players are performing on the pitch. The problem with Balotelli, is he hasn’t been performing on the pitch for Liverpool. The respect and trust of your fans can always be regained, but it takes a lot longer to re-build this with your teammates and coaching staff.
Granted, the striker hasn’t been making newspaper headlines for the off-the-field antics like he displayed during his spell at Manchester City, but he hasn’t been lighting up Anfield with the ability that we know he possesses.
Brendan Rodgers’ decision to bring on Balotelli after 70 minutes was a bold one. Did any Liverpool supporter truly feel that this was the moment that Mario Balotelli would ignite his Liverpool career?
Imagine it: scoring a winning goal at Stamford Bridge to secure Liverpool’s place at Wembley against his former coach who publicly labeled him as “unmanageable” — surely it was in the back of his mind. However, I would argue that very little Liverpool supporters felt a surge of optimism when his name got announced over the stadium speakers.
His performance was consistent as ever — largely disappointing. Bringing Balotelli on at that stage was like seeing Liverpool immediately go from 11 men to nine. Rodgers’ gamble failed, with Balotelli being preferred to Adam Lallana on the bench which many fans voiced their frustrations about after the game.
Balotelli was brought in to fill the massive void left by Luis Suarez, and has ultimately failed. They’re big boots to fill and players do need time to adjust, however Balotelli has played in the Premier League before, and is still to score his first league goal for the club. Is that £16 million Liverpool paid for his services last summer still considered a “bargain?”
At 24-years-old it’s now or never for Balotelli.
The heights he reached on the field for Italy at UEFA Euro 2012 were hugely impressive, but he hasn’t looked anything like that player since he left Manchester City. Balotelli may have the remainder of the season to prove his worth to Rodgers and Liverpool, or he could find his way out the door of yet another club.
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