Former Reds striker believes players are sick of Balotelli already.
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes it may be a long way back for Mario Balotelli at Anfield as he has lost the respect of his team-mates after some poor performances.
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The ex-England international tweeted his support for Balotelli after yesterday’s 3-0 home defeat to Real Madrid, saying that despite his bad run of form, he has the quality that means he should stay in the starting lineup for the weekend.
Still, he admits he himself isn’t the biggest fan of the controversial Italian international, and also senses that other members of the team at Liverpool may already have become fed up of playing with him, as shown in some of their body language towards him.
I’d still start Balotelli at the weekend. I’m not a big fan of his but he has more class than most. Harsh to put all the blame on him.
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) October 22, 2014
Last point on Balotelli. Most worrying thing is his team mates’ body language towards him. Once you lose their respect it’s a big struggle.
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) October 22, 2014
Balotelli has only scored one goal for Liverpool since joining the club from AC Milan in the summer, and provoked much anger from the club’s fans yesterday as he swapped shirts with Real Madrid defender Pepe at half time.