Brendan Rodgers says Mario Balotelli ‘must do more’ after the Italian forward produced a poor performance during the Champions League defeat to FC Basel, reports the Daily Mail.
The £16million summer signing from AC Milan has found the back of the net just once since joining Liverpool, and cut an isolated and frustrated figure on Wednesday evening.
This was typified by his failure to applaud the Reds travelling support at the final whistle, a point that has left his manager disappointed.
‘I’m not sure if he went back out to say thanks to the fans as I came straight in,’ Rodgers said.
“But I was speaking to one or two of the players to make sure they did that – it’s important, our supporters have travelled a long way and that is why it’s important they acknowledge the support, and what they have put in to get here.”
Balotelli did not register a single touch in the opposition penalty area all evening, besides the moment he had a goal rightly ruled out for offside.
Rodgers believes the 24-year-old is working hard, but acknowledges there needs to be an improvement.
“He worked hard, but needs to do more,” said the Reds boss.
“He will be judged on what he creates and what he scores and he didn’t score.
“But the boy is trying, he is working hard.”
Rodgers ‘must do more’ himself and stop blaming Mario. Liverpool can’t defend properly and our team looks worse than Southampton and Swansea at the minute. They f**ked up in the transfer market again and have little to show for all that money spent. We needed experienced players with Suarez leaving and we got a bunch of f**king kids that have no end product. Rodgers is now just banking on Sturridge coming back and saving him job.
Rodgers must advice himself and stop blaming Balotelli, you fucking coach as you call yourself. Look at the fucken signings you did that make your job difficult for yourself….. Now you are waiting for Sturridge and Joe Allen……. As a Good you didn’t believe your players at the beach right now……. You fucken Rodgers distroying our team…….. Fuck u.
Rodgers must advice himself and stop blaming Balotelli, you fucking coach as you call yourself. Look at the fucken signings you did that make your job difficult for yourself….. Now you are waiting for Sturridge and Joe Allen……. As a Good you didn’t believe your players at the beach right now……. Rodgers is a coach who don’t have the right formation to play…….. He is a fucken manager .