Liverpool FC Forum

[Ben Patrick]

I remember when Kenny was manager, Suarez wasn't very clinical in his finishing but under Brendan he became too good for any defence or goalkeeper. I hope that was due to Brendan's tutelage and not Suarez reaching his prime when Brendan happened to be the gaffer. If Brendan had played a huge part in developing Suarez, I hope he can do the same with Balo. In the Ludogorets match, Balo had a few half chances prior to his goal which Suarez would have easily put to the back of the net.

I agree with you about the fact that Suarez's goal return improved massively for us under Rodgers.
However I dont remember the half chances Balotelli missed ?
There was the one near the end that he drilled that the keeper pushed out, other than that cant recall anything of note.

[C-R]

Seems Mario has had a new hair do for the Everton match, here's a few snaps he posted

[only me]

Seems Mario has had a new hair do for the Everton match, here's a few snaps he posted

"heart warming" always happy to see a player so involved in pre-match preparations...This lad just isn't my cup of anything...So self obsessed.

[ballotelliman]

Seems Mario has had a new hair do for the Everton match, here's a few snaps he posted

"heart warming" always happy to see a player so involved in pre-match preparations...This lad just isn't my cup of anything...So self obsessed.

Corse its pre-match  preparations havent you heard of hairo-dynamics to make you run faster?

[bunglemark2]

He needs to cop the fook on...

[Pig Catcher]

The bottom line is that his ceiling is much lower than a lot of people seem to think it is. I just don’t get the title of “potentially world class”. He is a decent Premiership striker but his pressing is lacking intelligence, his movement is poor, his work rate is on and off and his pace is average. Decent player who is worth the fee we paid and will do well alongside Sturridge but he’ll never reach the heady height people expect him to.

[parchpea]

He is a better player and much more entertaining than Lukaku put it that way and nearly £10m cheaper.

Balotelli may never be the player everyone hoped but in fairness he does seem to be making more of an effort for us than
he has anywhere else and is trying to fit in at Liverpool.

He will never be at Suarez level but may yet be another Sturridge and that would be good enough for £16m.

[Octsky]

stay on the floor much too long and much too often,
not clinical enough

[maguskwt]

stay on the floor much too long and much too often,
not clinical enough

I don't like the way he's always falling to the ground neither... He's a big guy, he should be using his strength to bull doze his way through and causing all sorts of problems...

[woof woof !]

The bottom line is that his ceiling is much lower than a lot of people seem to think it is. I just don’t get the title of “potentially world class”. He is a decent Premiership striker but his pressing is lacking intelligence, his movement is poor, his work rate is on and off and his pace is average. Decent player who is worth the fee we paid and will do well alongside Sturridge but he’ll never reach the heady height people expect him to.

Agree with much of that. I do however believe that there's loads of potential there but I'm beginning to think it'll never be fully realised.

[RED BEERGOGGLES]

Balotelli had more shots than the entire Everton team ,he could have secured a vital victory but his shot hit the bar ,when Sturridge returns he will have someone
alongside him on the same wavelength ...On any other day that half volley would have struck the underside of the bar and dropped over the line ,right now its safe
to say Sterling is struggling with bringing him into the game ,Sturridge will do precisely the opposite and supply that killer ball and provide and understanding that
will only grow stronger with time. Right now its enough to see the lad working hard to close down the ball ,and getting into those positions to score.

Balotelli was one of our best players yesterday ,his control and passing is getting better with every game and its only a matter of time before we're all singing "Mario Fantastico ,Mario Magnifico"

[killerp]

?..its only a matter of time before we're all singing "Mario Fantastico ,Mario Magnifico"

Not so fast mate... Mario's ego needs deflation before he is accepted ... That or he actually starts scoring goals to match his haircut and fancy lifestyle!

[RED BEERGOGGLES]

?..its only a matter of time before we're all singing "Mario Fantastico ,Mario Magnifico"

Not so fast mate... Mario's ego needs deflation before he is accepted ... That or he actually starts scoring goals to match his haircut and fancy lifestyle!

He's been accepted already fella ,the lad received acknowledgement from the Kop for his display yesterday...There exists no finer yard stick for 'acceptance '
than the kop applauding your commitment . Personally I couldn't care a jot about his antics off the pitch as long as he works for the shirt ,and he done that
yesterday to the point of tracking back runners to help out his defence ....I have no qualms concerning his ability ,and his partnership with Sturridge when he
returns could become potent ,the goals will come mate.

[Stu the Red]

Do you think he can play upfront on his own though? Personally I think he's very much a 442 player

[sniffy98]

The idiotic BBC commentator said something like "Balotelli looks at Howard as if to ask 'why did you save that', it is his job Mario".

He was simply claiming a corner which it was. Sly unwarranted digs aplenty imo.