Super Mario

[LeTallecWiz]

And another bonus point, he hates The Lying Rag:

 

[RedZeppelin III]

would be interesting to hear what ex teammates say of him . Does he just have a bad rep for some off field shenanigans or is he a disruption to team morale , on the training ground etc ?.
you'd have to think he and sturridge will clash both on and off the pitch . I expect from the start to see flapping arms and daggers when one doesn't pass to the other.

 

[Brizzle]

Sturridge needs someone alongside to drag defenders away in order to be at his most effective.

Lambert did that last weekend. If Lambert can do it then Ballotelli sure as fuck can.

Yes - or have someone to drag defenders away from and create space for. On his own his runs are too easily tracked as there aren't bodies around him. At times last season his runs to create space for Luis were awesome.

 

[RedZeppelin III]

Brendan Rodgers (Whilst at Swansea) talking about Balotelli back in 2012:
"There's no doubt the kid's got a good heart."
"I have spoken to people at Manchester City and I have heard all the stories about how he walks into garages and pays for people's petrol and things like that.
"It sounds like there's a heart of gold in there, and that's why they persist with him and persevere.
"Some players are rascals, but they can be good rascals.
"If they are not the good kind you have a problem, but you can put up with it if they are — and as long as you do not have too many of them in your squad."

 

[Brizzle]

Would he and Studge have been at City at the same time?

 

[Brizzle]

Would he and Studge have been at City at the same time?

Answered my own question - no they were not.

 

[peterhague]

would be interesting to hear what ex teammates say of him . Does he just have a bad rep for some off field shenanigans or is he a disruption to team morale , on the training ground etc ?.
you'd have to think he and sturridge will clash both on and off the pitch . I expect from the start to see flapping arms and daggers when one doesn't pass to the other.

Marcotti tweeted before that he's never been a disruptive influence on teams, and that his problems have always been to his particular detriment, such as being unable to manage his emotions etc. He was apparently well liked among the City squad.

 

[dmishra]

Again, the point is he's not a bona fide striker. We've got loads of players who can try to play in that role, but that's another issue. If we're going to compete against the likes of City, all season, we need more than players helping out by playing out of position. It's an area we need to strengthen.

Well, I think there's going to be a change in the way we play. We'll likely play 4-3-3 rather than a 4-3-1-2. So it'll generally be one up front (Sturridge, Balotelli, Lambert) flanked by two wing-forwards or one wing-forward plus one AM (Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling, Markovic, Suso).

So I wouldn't be that worried tbh unless we plan to line up with 2 strikers regularly.

 

[Mystic]

Well, I think there's going to be a change in the way we play. We'll likely play 4-3-3 rather than a 4-3-1-2. So it'll generally be one up front (Sturridge, Balotelli, Lambert) flanked by two wing-forwards or one wing-forward plus one AM (Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling, Markovic, Suso).

So I wouldn't be that worried tbh unless we plan to line up with 2 strikers regularly.

Surely both Sturridge and Balotelli would want to start most games though.

 

[Woland]

They might want to, but that's not how it works.

 

[Modo]

Why can't they be on the pitch together?

 

[Mystic]

They'd be devastating as a 4-2-2 diamond, I'm sure of it.

 

[dmishra]

I don't know. I think Balotelli works as a no. 9 mostly.

He has a reputation of being lazy and uninterested, so asking him to play deeper or run the channels isn't a very good idea. I think we're best using him as an alternative to Sturridge.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Cos Rodgers seems to be setting us up to play with one striker.

 

[gkmacca]

It would be an absolute nightmare for centre backs, trying to figure out where Balotelli and Sturridge were at any point in time, they'd be interchanging so quickly and so often it could be lethal.

 

[Squiggles]

Forget all the football, Liverpool will be a much better place to live with Mario Ballotelli strutting around doing his thing.

 

[ILD]

Why are people suggesting Sturridge and Balotelli would clash on and off the field? Sturridge seems to be a messer off the field and a bit of a 'class clown' himself. They'll prob get on like a house on fire. Yeah a fire Balotelli will probably cause. #bathroomfireworks

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

Cos Rodgers seems to be setting us up to play with one striker.

Maybe that's because we only have one striker at the minute? Rodgers is well able to change formation to fit the best players in.

 

[Oliver Twist]

Maybe that's because we only have one striker at the minute?

Seems to be more that a striker wasn't top priority this summer, and wide players like Markovic and Lallana were.

 

[Brizzle]

There will be a queue of lads wanting to room with him for away trips too.

 

[dmishra]

Maybe that's because we only have one striker at the minute? Rodgers is well able to change formation to fit the best players in.

True. But two up front worked because Suarez was incredibly adaptable and had a phenomenal work-rate. In fact, we'd often switch to a 4-3-3 with Sturridge up top, and Suarez as a left wing-forward.

Neither Sturridge or Balotelli are renowned for their work-rate. I can't see Rodgers going for a line-up where two of the first-line refuse to press, harry and pull defenders out wide.

 

[Fabio]

I'd be so excited on a daily basis

Until he kicks a ball for us, then it could go either way

 

[ILD]

Ah Hendo is sound. He'd do Balotelli's running sure. Just stick it on his tab.

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

True. But two up front worked because Suarez was incredibly adaptable and had a phenomenal work-rate. In fact, we'd often switch to a 4-3-3 with Sturridge up top, and Suarez as a left wing-forward.

Neither Sturridge or Balotelli are renowned for their work-rate. I can't see Rodgers going for a line-up where two of the first-line refuse to press, harry and pull defenders out wide.

I imagine you're right.

Assuming he does sign, we won't see them together very often, but I'll bet we do see it happen, it all depends on who we're actually playing against.

 

[doctor_mac]

What was the story ?

The denouement of an FA cup semi final which City are winning 1-0, Balotelli manages to seriously piss off Ferdinand (what was said, who knows) and is surrounded by a mob of angry scum. His serene look as the Utd players go mental is just wonderful.

 

[the count]

Fabrizio Romano ‏@FabrizioRomano 3m
Balotelli is now saying his goodbye to team mates in Milan sport center, right now. Ready to be new Liverpool player #LFC

 

[Mystic]

Why are people suggesting Sturridge and Balotelli would clash on and off the field? Sturridge seems to be a messer off the field and a bit of a 'class clown' himself. They'll prob get on like a house on fire. Yeah a fire Balotelli will probably cause. #bathroomfireworks

Sturridge seems like an absolute fantastic guy off the field, I reckon they'll get on like a house on fire.

Maybe that's poor wording considering it's Balotelli we're talking about.

 

[Mystic]

Balotelli spotted on his way to Liverpool.

 

[SummerOnions]

 

[dmishra]

Di Marzio has just tweeted suggesting that this is done.