Five reasons why Liverpool should sign someone other than Mario Balotelli.
This week the news broke that Liverpool are in talks to sign outspoken AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli. Understandably, Reds fans are excited at finally finding a replacement for Luis Suarez, but should they be so happy about the links with the Italian international? The striker is often lauded as one of the best forwards on the planet, but below are five reasons why Balotelli to Liverpool would be a bad idea.
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5. He doesn’t score much from open play
In his total of 43 league games for Milan, Balotelli managed to score just 13 times from open play, and the majority of his strikes came from a either penalties and free-kicks. That means he possesses a meagre 6% conversion rate, scoring one goal for every 16 shots. After growing accustomed to the prowess of Luis Suarez over the past two seasons, Balotelli’s output may come as a nasty shock.
4. He has a lower goal ratio than Daniel Sturridge
Following on from point five, the Italian international saddled himself with a lower goals to minutes ratio last season, with a score of just 132. Comparing that to Sturridge’s 136, or even Suarez’s 138, and it makes for some very concerning reading. Surely the club would be better off saving their money and buying someone younger (yet more ready for first team action than Divock Origi) to provide cover for the England star.
3. Causes friction with teammates and the press
Part of the reason why he left England in the first place was because of his fractious relationship with the tabloid press, who would frequently leap on every indiscretion of his, no matter how small. This has sometimes spread into the dressing room and caused friction amongst his teammates in the dressing room. Of course, this all happened when he was younger and more naive, but he still has that spark that could run people up the wrong way and as Brendan Rodgers looks to continue to resurrect the club a loose cannon is the last thing he will need.
2. Better options
If Liverpool have proved one thing this summer it’s that they are not strapped for cash by any stretch of the imagination. Having spent the most money in the Premier League during the current transfer window, they will not be daft enough to blow the entirety of their funds without filling a crucial hole in the side. With that in mind, the options available to him extend from Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus to Monaco ace Radamel Falcao, both of whom would bring more to the club than Balotelli would.
1. Attitude problems
The phrase ‘Balotelli is great’ is often suffixed with ‘when he turns up’ and it is a tag that will likely follow him for many years to come. With the Reds now competing across four fronts this season Brendan Rodgers will need all of his stars firing on all cylinders from the off. Furthermore, his ego allows him to attempt things during games that don’t necessarily always come up, angering fans and coaches alike when more simple options are available.
SEE ALSO: Five reasons why Liverpool SHOULD sign Mario Balotelli