Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that striker Mario Balotelli, cannot be classed as a world-class player, but he believes he could become that at Anfield.
The Reds spent £16million on bringing the Italian back to the Premier League from AC Milan, and despite only scoring once since his arrival, Rodgers has faith in the 23-year-old and believes he can grow into a world-class player on Merseyside.
Balotelli was signed as a replacement for Luis Suarez, who left the club to join FC Barcelona in the Summer, and despite Rodgers keen on signing Karim Benzema from Real Madrid, the manager has faith that the ex-Manchester City guy can become world-class with time.
When questioned about Balotelli being the right guy to replace Suarez, Rodgers responded with: “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.”
“Suarez elevated himself, that was clear.
“He wasn’t world class when he came in but when he left to go to Barcelona he had put himself in that bracket.
