Balotelli gets bench warming warning from gaffer
Italian forward, Mario Balotelli must adopt to the pressing game favoured by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers or risk being relegated to the bench
Having spent six months altering tactics in an effort to get the best from the Italian, Rodgers said that it was up to Balotelli to adjust to Liverpool’s revived attacking formula to have any chance of being a regular starter.
The former AC Milan striker returns from suspension after a one match ban for posting a racist and anti-semitic image on social media.
The Italy international has scored just twice in 15 appearances since his 16 million pound summer move from AC Milan but is yet to find the net in the Premier League.
With the injured Daniel Sturridge not set to return from a thigh injury for a few weeks, Raheem Sterling has been pressed into action as a central forward and although Balotelli is available again, the best he can hope for is a place on the bench at Burnley on Boxing Day.
“It is something he will have to (get used to),” said Rodgers “If the team needs him from the bench then it is something he will need to become adjusted to .. that is the same for every single player, not just him.“
“When called upon, whether starting or off the bench, you ask your players to be ready.”
