It was the perfect storm of things gone wrong for both sides when Liverpool decided to bring in Mario Balotelli early on this season. Liverpool had watched its star striker Luis Suarez leave for Spain and then their problems were compounded with a terrible start to the Premier League campaign. Meanwhile, after struggling with AC Milan it seemed like only a matter of time before the enigmatic striker Balotelli would be on the move again and when Liverpool called to inquire about his services, a deal was reached to send the Italian striker to Anfield. However, it didn’t take long for both sides to realize that the marriage was not one that was made in soccer analytics heaven. Balotelli’s playing style has clashed with the way that manager Brendan Rodgers wants his team to play and the reality is that the former simply might not be a good fit.
Not Playing To His Strengths
Balotelli’s strengths have been on display since his younger days when he broke on to the International scene with Inter Milan and they helped him become a star. He was able to use his massive frame and sturdy build as a force up front as a holding forward that was able to slow down the pace of the game and dominate possession. Balotelli also used his size and strength to dominate on balls in the air and his cannon of a shot was difficult to stop when he got it off. However, while he was able to play to his strengths at both Inter and in his early days at Manchester City, that changed leading up to and after his move to AC Milan. Balotelli was asked to move with pace and become a more versatile striker and he was never able to fill that role – especially without the world class skill around him that he had helping to set him up earlier in his career. That has also been the case at Liverpool where Rodgers’ high tempo attack calls for Balotelli to be so much more than a finisher and to this point the move has not worked out. Balotelli is just a square peg in a round hole at Anfield.
The Return Of Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge recently posted a picture of he and Balotelli on Instagram in anticipation of the two playing together, and whether or not that relationship could make a difference is something that Liverpool fans can’t wait to see. Sturridge plays with the type of pace that would be the perfect compliment to Balotelli’s holding style. Sturridge has not played since suffering a thigh injury in August and if he could return to form, it might also really help Balotelli when the two are on the field together. However, the expectation that Sturridge alone could help Balotelli snap out of his goal drought is testament to the situation the two sides are in. It could be a legitimate solution but it also seems like the last resort that fans are clinging to.
Lots Of Change For Balotelli
Something should be said for the fact that Liverpool is Balotelli’s fourth club team since he left Inter in 2010. Factor in the time he has spent with the Italian national team and it’s clear to see why he might have had a tough time adjusting to all of the change. Time and again we have seen players struggle to find their comfort level with new clubs and the lack of goals as well as injuries only hurts the situation even more. A lot of it is his own doing as he wears out his welcome but the fact of the matter is he’s had so many new players, coaches and environments to adjust to that it has hampered his production.
The friendship with Sturridge could help both on the field and off of it and it will be very interesting to see if it lights a fire under the Liverpool attack. As it stands now the marriage between the two sides doesn’t seem like one that is meant to last. If things don’t change in the near future it likely won’t be long before Balotelli’s time at Anfield is up.
