Dylan Gerstley outlines why it is necessary to sell get rid of Mario Balotelli sooner rather than later.
Mario Balotelli has used up all of his second chances at nearly every club across Europe and Liverpool need him gone from the club fast.
With transfer rumours abound with players linked to Liverpool all across the globe it’s an exciting time for fans to dream of stars gracing the fields at Melwood and morphing the club into Premier League title contenders.
Even though transfer windows are enthralling times of anticipation and hope, they are also divisive. Fans judge the club and owners based on players merely being linked with an Anfield switch and hardly anyone seems satisfied at the end of it all.
New arrivals are of massive importance, especially as new manager Jürgen Klopp looks to put his stamp on the squad. Possibly even more important is parting ways with players that will never come good under Klopp. Mario Balotelli is one of these players, though the Italian will struggle to find a manager he would come good under.
Mario is a clear liability just based on his antics off the pitch. The striker is constantly berated by managers, fans, and club hierarchies about his attitude and night life activities.
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There is a now infamous story about Balotelli and the iPhone 6. When the striker learned of the new phone’s release from a teammate in the dressing room before a training session, he made sure to tweak his hamstring. Mario then sent out one of his henchman to pick up a few of Apple’s latest smartphone so that he could have his very own and sleep comfortably knowing that should he break it, he had plenty others in reserve.
Balotelli never seems to break a sweat on the pitch either. His work ethic in a Liverpool shirt was woeful and under Brendan Rodgers the Italian was banished from first team training sessions and told to train on his own.
The striker’s poor form continued with AC Milan this past season. He scored a measly 3 goals and assisted another, not even coming close to matching the output that made Liverpool sign him in the first case.
Aside from his low work rate and poor return, Balotelli is also a disciplinary nightmare. He picked up 6 yellow cards in Serie A last year. That number would be understandable if Mario was a central defender, but as a striker it points to immaturity and rashness. In his time at Liverpool, he would refuse cool down runs and neglect to thank the travelling Liverpool fans after away matches, adding to his reputation of selfishness.
Klopp is building something special at Liverpool. It is clear the German has instilled a better mentality into his players. All of the hard work done to improve the side in the intangible aspects of the game could be undone by Balotelli’s poor attitude and lack of commitment. The Italian would set a bad example for the younger members of the squad as well as the new signings who are yet to discover what Liverpool is all about. With Mario in direct contrast to Klopp’s and the club’s values, it is essential for FSG to move the Italian on so that the rest of the squad can get to work.