Former Reds star slams summer signing for ‘walking around’.Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has criticised the club’s summer signing Mario Balotelli for his form for the club so far, the Daily Mirror reports.
SEE ALSO:
Victor Valdes Liverpool – Reds to sign goalkeeper
Mario Balotelli Car: Liverpool Striker Lets Young Fans Drive His Ferrari!
(Pictures) Amazing Ryder Cup WAGS In All Their Glory.
The Italian forward was brought to Anfield from AC Milan in a £16m deal to replace Luis Suarez, who left the club in a £75m move to Barcelona after a sensational run of form for the Reds last season.
However, the 24-year-old has not managed to find his feet in a Liverpool shirt, and has now attracted criticism for being lazy from one of the club’s former greats.
Carragher was well known for his never-say-die attitude during his highly successful playing career, and he has been unimpressed with Balotelli’s work rate in comparison to his predecessor Suarez, who worked hard upfront as well as being a quality goalscorer.
The 36-year-old, now a pundit for Sky Sports, says he wasn’t a particular fan of Balotelli during his time at Manchester City either, saying he lacks the intensity to be a truly world class centre-forward.
“Suarez set the tone, harrying and hassling,” he said. “He defended from the front and is the best in the world at creating that relentless energy that swamped teams.
“If intensity is the word you associate with Rodgers’ Liverpool, you would not use it to describe Mario Balotelli, Suarez’s replacement.
“When he played for Manchester City, I wasn’t a fan and what I’ve seen so far hasn’t persuaded me to change my mind. He has a tendency to walk around, which I don’t like to see. He has to bust a gut more often to get in the box.”
Balotelli has scored just one goal in four appearances for Liverpool so far, and will need to improve in today’s important Merseyside Derby game against fierce local rivals Everton.