Mario Balotelli has hit back at those criticising his early season performances for Liverpool, claiming he gives himself a seven out of ten for his performance level so far in a red shirt.
The Italian has hit two goals in 12 appearances in all competitions since signing in the summer for £16million from AC Milan, but insists he backs himself to come good and start scoring regularly soon.
Balotelli gave himself a rating of 6.5 out of 10 two years ago for his early performances for Manchester City, and insists his performances for the Reds so far warrant an extra half a point.
“I give myself half a point more, so seven – because I run more than before,” Balotelli told Fox Sports Australia. “I run, I’m running now – I’ve never run like this…so I give myself half a point more.
“Because goals, they will come. It is something that’s just not coming at the moment. But it’s not something that has just gone.
“I don’t need people to believe in me so long as I believe in myself,” he added.
“The important people for me are my family and my few close friends, as long as they believe in me.
“Some think because I didn’t score and didn’t start well this season that I can’t be one of the top players, a really good player for this team. That’s their business.
“I don’t care what stories people say about me because I know they are lying.”
