Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has defended controversial striker Mario Balotelli, according to Sky Sports.
Balotelli was blamed for missing a superb opportunity during Liverpool’s 3-2 win away at Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.
The Italian missed an open goal in the win at Loftus Road, with Balotelli blazing a close range effort over the bar, having been gifted the ball following Alex McCarthy’s save.
Despite his poor showing, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers remained supportive of his £16 million signing.
Rodgers also dismissed the idea of the Italian missing another open goal, which was turned into the back of his own net by QPR defender Steven Caulker, to provide Liverpool with a 90th minute winner.
“Well okay, that’s harsh. It’ll drop for the boy.
“It’s just not dropping for him at the moment, but I would have said he would have finished that, if young Steven Caulker had not turned it in.
“The most important thing for me is Mario’s work. The guy’s doing his best, he’s working really hard.
“He has come into here, he’s a great boy, and I’ve really enjoyed working with him.
Rodgers also revealed that he feels Balotelli is coming under too much critisism, with the 24 year-old replacing Luis Suarez, who departed Anfield for Barcelona in a £75 million fee.
“The criticism of him has been unfair, yes,” he said.
“That’s because he’s probably seen as the direct replacement for Luis and, as I said before, Luis was irreplaceable and a real world-class talent.
“That’s not what’s being asked of Mario. He’s not going to be what Luis was, he is a totally different type of player.
“Luis played on the shoulder, we freed up the team for him for a couple of years, to exploit his qualities.
“Now we have to have a different dynamic and type of game, but Mario has got qualities, and he’s really focused on making sure that he’s concentrating on preparing himself to train and play.
“Eventually, the goals will come for him.”
by Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
