I'm already looking forward.
Origi and Studge.
That has the potential to be explosive.
Origi and Studge.
That has the potential to be explosive.
Mario Balotelli
- Thread starter keniget
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Let's hope the bitters don't crock Origi this evening.
You mean they're hoping Origi don't destroy them this evening ?
No, mate. Which one incidentally, Origi or Balotelli?
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-fc-striker-mario-balotelli-7989411
Liverpool FC striker Mario Balotelli in photo threat claims
- Oct 23, 2014 18:05
- By Richard Wheatstone
Mario Balotelli and his Ferrari
Police were called after Mario Balotelli allegedly threatened a woman taking pictures of his Ferrari.
The Liverpool FC striker, who provoked fury after exchanging his jersey with Real Madrid defender Pepe during half-time of the 3-0 Champions League defeat at Anfield on Wednesday night, parked up in Pewsey Road, Peel Hall, Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, in his red Ferrari F12 Berlinetta at around 3pm today.
It is thought Mario was in Wythenshawe visiting his mum Rose Barwuah.
A nearby resident came out of her house and started taking pictures when it is alleged he began to threaten her.
The woman called police to say the Italian walked over to her and got ‘threateningly close’ and demanded she stop taking photographs.
Everyone involved in the dispute is said to have gone back inside their respective houses before the police were called.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed it is investigating the incident, which was reported at around 3.05pm, but that none of the parties have yet been spoken to by officers.
Tony Barrett
Published 1 minute ago
Mario Balotelli is in a battle to save his Liverpool career two months after joining the club and could be sold in January unless he begins to justify the £16 million gamble taken by Brendan Rodgers.
The Liverpool manager took Balotelli to task yesterday after the forward swapped shirts with Pepe, the Real Madrid defender, at half-time during Liverpool’s 3-0 home defeat in the Champions League on Wednesday. Though Rodgers stopped short of punishing Balotelli, who was substituted at half-time, he informed the Italian that such behaviour was not in keeping with “the culture in this country”.
There is mounting concern at Anfield over Balotelli’s failure to fit into Liverpool’s playing style and lack of impact as he continues to seek his first Barclays Premier League goal for the club. Rodgers admits that his patience in the 24-year-old will be exhausted unless he conforms to Liverpool’s requirements.
Pressed on whether Liverpool would replace Balotelli in January, Rodgers said: “I don’t want to go down that route,” but he offered the former Manchester City player no guarantees beyond January, despite taking full responsibility for signing him during the summer transfer window.
“He is an individual talent who is working hard to try to fit into the team ethos here, and the team identity, but only time will tell,” he said. “We brought in the player to give him a chance, and give him every chance. At this moment of time he hasn’t scored the goals we would like or want.
“We are having to give him that opportunity. It’s not just about improving him, it’s about improving all the players. And we will see come January what the team needs.
“I’m the type of manager that gives people an opportunity. I understand the criticism that will come my way because of that. You accept that as part of being a manager. You’ll take the praise if things go well with a player you are working with, and you have to take the responsibility as a manager [if they don’t], so either way I can deal with that.”
Rodgers admits that it was a gamble to sign Balotelli from AC Milan, given the striker’s controversial past. “The manager always will be responsible for every player that comes in,” he said. “You can label it on me, so there is no problem there. I think it’s very clear, in the conversations we had with the owners, we knew what we were getting. I think I said before this was a calculated risk to bring someone in, and nothing has changed.
“I’m not, and haven’t been, overly surprised by many things. We took in a young player that has football potential. Were we going to get that focus and concentration required to play consistently at the top level? That will remain to be seen. I think he’s working hard to show he can deliver that.”
Balotelli’s struggle to establish himself at Liverpool, who have a league match at home to Hull City tomorrow, was laid bare again when he was taken off against Real Madrid, a substitution that Rodgers maintains was tactical.
The criticism that followed the Italy forward’s latest below-par performance was unsparing. Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool captain, claimed that it was becoming increasingly apparent that Balotelli was a panic buy who would not be at the club beyond this season.
Although willing to defend Balotelli’s commitment to the cause, Rodgers said that such assessments are inevitable as long as his barren run of form continues. “If you aren’t scoring or the team isn’t playing well, whether the criticism is deserved or not, it is a part of the game and you have to accept it,” he said. “Nobody likes it, however it comes, but as an individual, team or manager, you have to accept it.
“The boy is genuinely trying very, very hard. Longer term, we will see how that works out for him. Certainly, he is working hard on the training field to improve his opportunities to play in the team regularly and to score goals.
“As long as he is doing his best, that’s all I can ask as a manager. Whether that best is going to be good enough longer term remains to be seen.
“But that’s the same for any player, not just Mario. Hard work will improve your confidence, and when you are confident you have more success. It’s as simple as that.”
• Balotelli’s propensity for controversy continued yesterday when he was alleged to have used threatening behaviour towards a woman who had been taking pictures of his Ferrari. The incident, which took place in Wythenshaw, is being investigated by Greater Manchester Police.
Published 1 minute ago
Mario Balotelli is in a battle to save his Liverpool career two months after joining the club and could be sold in January unless he begins to justify the £16 million gamble taken by Brendan Rodgers.
The Liverpool manager took Balotelli to task yesterday after the forward swapped shirts with Pepe, the Real Madrid defender, at half-time during Liverpool’s 3-0 home defeat in the Champions League on Wednesday. Though Rodgers stopped short of punishing Balotelli, who was substituted at half-time, he informed the Italian that such behaviour was not in keeping with “the culture in this country”.
There is mounting concern at Anfield over Balotelli’s failure to fit into Liverpool’s playing style and lack of impact as he continues to seek his first Barclays Premier League goal for the club. Rodgers admits that his patience in the 24-year-old will be exhausted unless he conforms to Liverpool’s requirements.
Pressed on whether Liverpool would replace Balotelli in January, Rodgers said: “I don’t want to go down that route,” but he offered the former Manchester City player no guarantees beyond January, despite taking full responsibility for signing him during the summer transfer window.
“He is an individual talent who is working hard to try to fit into the team ethos here, and the team identity, but only time will tell,” he said. “We brought in the player to give him a chance, and give him every chance. At this moment of time he hasn’t scored the goals we would like or want.
“We are having to give him that opportunity. It’s not just about improving him, it’s about improving all the players. And we will see come January what the team needs.
“I’m the type of manager that gives people an opportunity. I understand the criticism that will come my way because of that. You accept that as part of being a manager. You’ll take the praise if things go well with a player you are working with, and you have to take the responsibility as a manager [if they don’t], so either way I can deal with that.”
Rodgers admits that it was a gamble to sign Balotelli from AC Milan, given the striker’s controversial past. “The manager always will be responsible for every player that comes in,” he said. “You can label it on me, so there is no problem there. I think it’s very clear, in the conversations we had with the owners, we knew what we were getting. I think I said before this was a calculated risk to bring someone in, and nothing has changed.
“I’m not, and haven’t been, overly surprised by many things. We took in a young player that has football potential. Were we going to get that focus and concentration required to play consistently at the top level? That will remain to be seen. I think he’s working hard to show he can deliver that.”
Balotelli’s struggle to establish himself at Liverpool, who have a league match at home to Hull City tomorrow, was laid bare again when he was taken off against Real Madrid, a substitution that Rodgers maintains was tactical.
The criticism that followed the Italy forward’s latest below-par performance was unsparing. Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool captain, claimed that it was becoming increasingly apparent that Balotelli was a panic buy who would not be at the club beyond this season.
Although willing to defend Balotelli’s commitment to the cause, Rodgers said that such assessments are inevitable as long as his barren run of form continues. “If you aren’t scoring or the team isn’t playing well, whether the criticism is deserved or not, it is a part of the game and you have to accept it,” he said. “Nobody likes it, however it comes, but as an individual, team or manager, you have to accept it.
“The boy is genuinely trying very, very hard. Longer term, we will see how that works out for him. Certainly, he is working hard on the training field to improve his opportunities to play in the team regularly and to score goals.
“As long as he is doing his best, that’s all I can ask as a manager. Whether that best is going to be good enough longer term remains to be seen.
“But that’s the same for any player, not just Mario. Hard work will improve your confidence, and when you are confident you have more success. It’s as simple as that.”
• Balotelli’s propensity for controversy continued yesterday when he was alleged to have used threatening behaviour towards a woman who had been taking pictures of his Ferrari. The incident, which took place in Wythenshaw, is being investigated by Greater Manchester Police.
Rodgers doesn't seem to be trying to be very convincing there.
There is a lot not to like about this whole episode.
He may not have been anyones first choice but he's here now and Rodgers should make the best of it. To me that means not saying that Balotelli is not producing what they'd hoped every time he's asked a mere couple months into his Liverpool career and not continuing to play him in a role he's not suited to (or is it giving him enough rope to hang himself with). Play Lambert if you don't like the guy. Or go with some other option.
There is a lot not to like about this whole episode.
He may not have been anyones first choice but he's here now and Rodgers should make the best of it. To me that means not saying that Balotelli is not producing what they'd hoped every time he's asked a mere couple months into his Liverpool career and not continuing to play him in a role he's not suited to (or is it giving him enough rope to hang himself with). Play Lambert if you don't like the guy. Or go with some other option.
See, you've identified what Mario's strength is right there and completely failed to identify that it's why he doesn't work in this team.
Our attack is built on movement, slick passing, speed and space. You're advocating he'll be good when we are hitting the ball to where Balotelli is "standing" - surely you see the paradox in that statement. His stationary approach worked well in Milan where the style of play is a fair bit slower. It actually had it's moments with City as well but they had a very different approach to us.
I actually thought Mario played better in the first half against Madrid - hence my comments that he's not the main problem for that performance. I can't understand some of the muck people have come out with on his first half. He was getting in behind, running into space and trying to get involved. Where he let himself down was failing to release Sterling in the first minute and in his efforts to close the ball down. I still thought it was the most appropriate he'd looked to a Liverpool attack - but he's simply too lazy or not fit enough to work hard without the ball. Imagine Lallana and Suarez playing together - the opposition backline would need a bloody respirator. With Mario they've got time to compose themselves.
I'm looking forward to Barca and Madrid. Barca don't close like they used to but they still do it. Madrid used to look unplayable until they came up against Barca. Then, when they had no time on the ball at the back they looked panicked, scratchy and more like Wimbledon or us under Souness.
I think Mario was trying against Madrid which is good; you don't build a team around a player like him - he needs to fit in with the way the team plays. Currently he's not doing that and I don't think he's got the fitness or application to do so on the defensive side. Love to be proven wrong but can't see it.
Actually, this would be my single biggest criticism of Rodgers at this point.
For me Lambert has done enough to warrant a couple of runs. Maybe it's the fact he clearly wouldn't help us partnered with Mario and he feels compelled to give the Italian a good chance but I don't think we'd get any less from Rickie and there'd be no question as to whether he cared.
There are larger, more complex issues but this would be my single biggest question - particularly in light of his comments that "Lambert knew the role he was coming in for".
@Wizardry I agree with you completely regarding why Balotelli doesn't work in our team at present, although I think he could certainly play better if our team in general was performing better. It's always easier to bed in new players when things are going well. That's part of why Sterling is the player he is right now.
The big problem for me isn't the fact that Balotelli is not integrating into an approach to football that we used so well last year. The big problem for me is that I don't think we can play that style of football well enough, with any of the players we have, even with a fit and firing Sturridge, to outweigh our abject defensive failings. So the fact that we are persisting with some elements of it, even with Balotelli, disturbs me. Some of them are caused by the way we gamble, but many of them are not goals from transition but basic defensive errors, and set pieces. We play in a league that has had shit teams hitting crosses to the back post for decades, and yet we can't deal with it, and haven't been able to deal with it, regardless of personnel, for the entire time Rodger's has been at the helm. Every single one of the defenders we've got, has performed better, outside the Rodgers era. The way we play is bound to make defenders make some hard decisions more frequently than other teams, and that's when we're playing well, for gain. Now we cause problems for the defenders, with little chance of gain. What's the point of enduring the danger of constantly playing it out the back for instance, if you don't have the talent and movement up front to cause problems and make space? Rodgers attributes the errors to individual judgment, sloppiness, when they have proven to be systematic at this point.
My point isn't to beat that same drum about defending, its to say, where's the new approach, because even if Balotelli weren't to figure in the side ever again, we'd still have a problem. We aren't going to be as lethal on the counter as last year, we aren't as efficient at converting chances, we aren't as fast, and I don't think we will be. Rodgers tried to play a possessive style of football, it failed, we became more a counterattacking team, with Suarez as the cornerstone, and it succeeded. It succeeded because it was the best style of play for the players we had. I don't think it is exactly anymore. It's even less so with Balotelli. Balotelli wasn't what Rodgers wanted, but with what we've got now, its time to reevaluate our approach, not keep chasing last years unsustainable style of play. There are other ways to win games, and I've not seen anyone win any trophies playing that way.
And, as poor as he's been by the way, a part of why Balotelli is the most obvious scapegoat at this point is his celebrity. How does Markovic, who has been an absolutely useless, completely scared, pile of shit, who cost more money, and could easily realize a larger loss upon sale, not attract the same attention for how half arsed he's been? He's a bit younger? Sterling is shouldering far more of a burden right now and is younger still. Downing was a more convincing winger thus far, and that's no exaggeration.
The big problem for me isn't the fact that Balotelli is not integrating into an approach to football that we used so well last year. The big problem for me is that I don't think we can play that style of football well enough, with any of the players we have, even with a fit and firing Sturridge, to outweigh our abject defensive failings. So the fact that we are persisting with some elements of it, even with Balotelli, disturbs me. Some of them are caused by the way we gamble, but many of them are not goals from transition but basic defensive errors, and set pieces. We play in a league that has had shit teams hitting crosses to the back post for decades, and yet we can't deal with it, and haven't been able to deal with it, regardless of personnel, for the entire time Rodger's has been at the helm. Every single one of the defenders we've got, has performed better, outside the Rodgers era. The way we play is bound to make defenders make some hard decisions more frequently than other teams, and that's when we're playing well, for gain. Now we cause problems for the defenders, with little chance of gain. What's the point of enduring the danger of constantly playing it out the back for instance, if you don't have the talent and movement up front to cause problems and make space? Rodgers attributes the errors to individual judgment, sloppiness, when they have proven to be systematic at this point.
My point isn't to beat that same drum about defending, its to say, where's the new approach, because even if Balotelli weren't to figure in the side ever again, we'd still have a problem. We aren't going to be as lethal on the counter as last year, we aren't as efficient at converting chances, we aren't as fast, and I don't think we will be. Rodgers tried to play a possessive style of football, it failed, we became more a counterattacking team, with Suarez as the cornerstone, and it succeeded. It succeeded because it was the best style of play for the players we had. I don't think it is exactly anymore. It's even less so with Balotelli. Balotelli wasn't what Rodgers wanted, but with what we've got now, its time to reevaluate our approach, not keep chasing last years unsustainable style of play. There are other ways to win games, and I've not seen anyone win any trophies playing that way.
And, as poor as he's been by the way, a part of why Balotelli is the most obvious scapegoat at this point is his celebrity. How does Markovic, who has been an absolutely useless, completely scared, pile of shit, who cost more money, and could easily realize a larger loss upon sale, not attract the same attention for how half arsed he's been? He's a bit younger? Sterling is shouldering far more of a burden right now and is younger still. Downing was a more convincing winger thus far, and that's no exaggeration.
Fair enough. Who perceives him as an overall failure? I take it you mean the media and fans of other clubs?
I've mentioned this before on here. A good mate of mine had an evening in a bar in Spain with some work mates who were mates with Bobby Zamorra. He was with the group and my mate had a few beers with him and a good chat playing pool. Decent fella by all accounts. But one thing he said to my mate was telling. He said he has never really liked football and he was ace at other sports that he would rather have done professionally but he fell into football and it was just a job to him. Never watches it and has no interest.
If he can still throw himself into football like he did against us the other day when he doesn't even really like the game, why can't Ballotelli? At least he could show SOME enthusiasm.
I just think he's a twat.
Yeah the Media, supporters of other teams, some supporters of Liverpool, most supporters of England etc..
Christ Farky. You should be able to work that one out. Markovic, only just promoted into the SL and Serbian teams and considered a huge future prospect vs. Balo having played for Inter, Milan, City and now Liverpool as well as an Italian international and a star of Euro 2012 and having World Cup experience. Sterling matured earlier and also has great experience now in both Liverpool's and England's set-ups.
Marko I can give time to. Balo I can't any more (and I have to say I'm disappointed in myself saying that after the handful of games he's had but that's down to him because he has shown 'nothing').
Premier League 2014-15
Shots (inc blocked)
1. Aguero (36)
2. Pelle (32)
3. Balotelli (30)
Shots on goal
=1. Aguero (29)
=1. Pelle (29)
3. Balotelli (22)
Shots on target
1. Aguero (20)
2. Costa (16)
3. Pelle (14)
7. Balotelli (9)
Goals
=1. Aguero (9)
=1. Costa (9)
3. Pelle (6)
Balotelli (0)
The photo thing seems very believable.
I had an ex-gf who was out in Manchester a few years ago and her, her sister and her mates were offered back to a pool party in Balotelli's house. They proceeded to run around the house taking photos and he lost his shit and threw them out onto the street in the middle of nowhere.
He's been a hero of mine ever since.
I had an ex-gf who was out in Manchester a few years ago and her, her sister and her mates were offered back to a pool party in Balotelli's house. They proceeded to run around the house taking photos and he lost his shit and threw them out onto the street in the middle of nowhere.
He's been a hero of mine ever since.
Balotelli and Rodgers know that he needs a run of scoring games and everyone will be mysteriously off his back and moaning about something else. Whether he can do that in his and the teams current form is another matter.
I think there are players in the team that are playing as bad if not worse than him and no one gives a shit. It's easier for our supporters and the press to pan him instead of gerrard for example.
I think there are players in the team that are playing as bad if not worse than him and no one gives a shit. It's easier for our supporters and the press to pan him instead of gerrard for example.
I agree - I haven't heard any criticism of Gerrard's performance last night. In his new role he is somehow supposed to be protecting the defence but he was ineffective - I am not too clear about what position he is supposed to be playing and what job he is supposed to be doing now.
Neither is he.
he's not going to be any good in the system we're playing. there were loads of players available who would run around a lot and provide continuity with the way we were playing last year. how the fuck did rodgers think that lambert and balotelli would fit in with that?
I've noticed Rushie defending Balotelli in the media today, despite strong criticism of Balotelli from almost everyone else associated with LFC who's commented. Maybe the signing was very much a transfer committee decision? Surely Lambert was only ever intended to be fourth choice. His position has been thrown into sharper focus only because Balotelli's been such a waste of space so far.
He didn't, he thought Lambert would be a decent way of being able to change things for certain games. He didn't want Balotelli, he wanted the transfers that failed and then our transfer team panicked because the need was great. They went with what they thought was a worthwhile risk for a player of some known quality, rather than thinking of how they'd integrate into the team style. Meanwhile there's no effective team style for them to integrate into, just a memory of what we did last year, which wasn't so much an integrated style as, "our defense is less shit than our attack is fucking brilliant."
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