Brendan Rodgers admits Mario Balotelli is not to be considered a like-for-like replacement for Luis Suarez, saying there is ‘no comparison’ between the two strikers, reports the Independent.
Balotelli has scored one goal in five games since coming in to replace Luis Suarez in the summer, and is set to lead the line against Everton in the Merseyside derby tomorrow.
Liverpool have appeared to miss the influence of Suarez, who scored 31 goals and created 12 assists last season.
When asked if Balotelli was seen as the right man to replace the Uruguayan, Rodgers answered: “We shall see.
“There is no comparison between the two as players. Luis was brilliant for me in his time here and developed to become a player who consistently delivered in terms of scoring and creating.
“Mario is different. He’s got a lot of experience for 24, he has come here as an established international.”
Rodgers believes consistency is the key for Balotelli, if he is to elevate himself to the same level as Suarez did during his time at Anfield.
“Suarez elevated himself, that was clear,” Rodgers continued.
“He wasn’t world class when he came in but when he left to go to Barcelona he had put himself in that bracket.
“He did that because of his consistency in scoring goals and keeping his performance level high. World class is about being at the highest level consistently, being at that level in your game consistently. That’s what takes you there.
“I think Mario is potentially world class. You can’t compare Suarez and him, but Mario is coming in as an international striker and he’s a talent, no doubt.”
