Rodgers has challenged Mario Balotelli to prove that he has something to offer to the club.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has issued a very public challenge to out-of-favour striker Mario Balotelli – prove in training that he is capable of offering something to a side whose form has picked up impressively in recent weeks.
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Whilst Balotelli’s performances for Liverpool since joining from AC Milan in the summer have been nowhere near good enough, there are plenty of examples of players earning back their place in Brendan Rodgers’ plans – here are five players that Balotelli should use as inspiration:
Martin Skrtel
At one point it looked as though Daniel Agger was going to be Rodgers’ senior central defender and Martin Skrtel should be fearing for his Anfield future, but the Slovakian international knuckled down and proved that he was the man worth sticking with by putting in some combative and consistent displays for his manager.
Raheem Sterling
Young starlet Raheem Sterling is arguably Liverpool’s most important player these days, but despite the lightning speed with which he burst onto the team it took some time for the teenage Sterling to establish himself fully in Rodgers’ first team plans. There was even some talk of him heading out on loan, but Sterling put in some dazzling performances when he was given the chance to string together a succession of first team games.
Lucas Leiva
There has been plenty of buzz about how good Liverpool’s form has been with Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva in the team this season, but he hasn’t always been a crucial component of Rodgers’ Liverpool sides. Lucas isn’t one for complaining, however, and has gotten his head down and played his way back into a role of real importance.
Jordan Henderson
It is easy to forget now, but midfielder Jordan Henderson was something of a laughing stock at Liverpool following his departure from Sunderland for a fee that many saw as being far too expensive. Since Rodgers has taken over as manager, however, Henderson has developed into a player who is indispensable for his club and increasingly important for his country and who is seen as the natural successor to Steven Gerrard.
Mamadou Sakho
French international central defender Mamadou Sakho has only really begun to show his talent for Liverpool this season, having largely failed to break into the first team squad since his big money move from Paris Saint Germain. Sakho has been excellent in his side’s impressive recent run, however, showing that it is possible to play your way back into Rodgers’ plans from a position on the sidelines.