We have already spoken about our misgivings in relation to Brendan Rodgers’s public criticism of Mario Balotelli this week.
The latest news suggests that he’s actually join got drop the Italian in favour of Rcikie Lambert his weekend. The Express reports:
Balotelli DROPPED! Lambert to get Liverpool start above Anfield flop for West Brom clash
RICKIE LAMBERT is in line for his first Premier League start for Liverpool following Mario Balotelli’s failure to make an instant impact at Anfield.
We don’t know what has gone on behind the scenes at Liverpool this week but it does appear that there could be some serious friction between the pair.
SEE ALSO: HAS RODGERS GOT IT WRONG?
With all due respect to Lambert, he looks us as if his best days are behind him. He’s toiled hard in a Liverpool shirt but, while his passing and link up play is generally good, he doesn’t seem suited to the pace of a top Liverpool side.
Balotelli’s confidence must be in tatters after the withering assessment that he suffered this week from the boss. But the current malaise can’t be blamed entirely on Mario. He’s a very good striker – a classic number nine who needs good service. If he gets that he will score goals.
But he simply hasn’t had that service so far in his fledgling Liverpool career. To hook him after just a handful of games seems like a knee jerk reaction.
What Rodgers needs to do is play Sterling and Lallana out wide and give Mario some proper quality to feed off. Deliver good balls in to the box and you can almost guarantee he’ll be on the scoresheet.
For all his foibles, Balotelli is a quality striker. But even the best need ammo. With Liverpool’s confused and clunky system, he’s just not getting it.
Liverpool fans: should Mario be dropped?
