With Liverpool very much back in pursuit of a top-class striker following Loic Remy’s failed medical, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers cozied up to AC Milan mad man Mario Balotelli prior to his sides 2-0 win over the Rossoneri in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The 23-year old, who really needs absolutely no introduction, is thought to be on the chopping block after failing to mesh with his team-mates at the San Siro. Although he scored an impressive 14 league goals in 30 appearances as the Milanese outfit finished a disappointing 8th, disciplinary problems both on and off the field have marred Mario’s return to Italy’s second city, prompting the club to slap a rumoured price-tag of £14mil on his head — about £2mil less than they paid Manchester City for him a year and a half ago.
Whether or not the Italian is actually on the market, or if Liverpool will make a move for him, remains to be seen, but the way Rodgers was talking, it sounds like he’s got a soft spot for the 23-year old. “Balotelli is a big talent. I saw that in this time at Inter Milan as a young player and obviously going to Manchester City when we had a real close eye on him there” he said in his pre-match press conference. “He’s got all the qualities. He’s 6ft 3ins, he’s quick, his touch is terrific and he can score goals. “He went back to Italy to play and he’s still so young. If his focus is right, his concentration is right and he leads the lifestyle of a top player then he can play for any team in the world.”
While a few of those compliments are certainly back-handed, it’s quite simple to say the exact same things about former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan, who recently departed for Barcelona in a £75mil deal, enjoyed his fair share of controversy and criticism during his time on Merseyside. If Rodgers can get the best of out Suarez, there’s little doubt he can do the same for Balotelli.
