Balotelli says struggling in Reds lead role
Print Edition
MARIO Balotelli admits he is struggling to adapt to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers’ tactics as he seeks to open his English Premier League account for his new club.
The Italian has endured a difficult start to the season since joining from AC Milan, managing just one goal for Liverpool against Bulgaria’s Ludogorets in the Champions League and being dropped from the national squad.
“If it was my choice, I would always go with two strikers, it’s the way I like to play, but Brendan asked me to play as the first striker,” Balotelli, who will attempt to break his duck against Queens Park Rangers tomorrow, said in an interview with Sport magazine.
“I understand that when the ball comes from wide on the left or right, I need to be in the box otherwise there might be no one there at all.
“I need to get in the box more. I don’t do it enough, but it is something I am working to try to do more.”
Despite his teething troubles at Liverpool, Balotelli is impressed with the club. “I didn’t really know much about the club before coming here, but I’ve been really surprised,” he said.
“I can see already that the Liverpool fans really like me, although I know that maybe they are a little upset because I don’t score,” added the 24-year-old who won the Premier League while at Manchester City.
While not being happy with his role in the team, Balotelli appears to be at peace with Rodgers, a welcome change after fall-outs with some previous managers, including Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan and former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli.
“He (Rodgers) is very open, everybody can talk to him,” he said. “I think he can help me improve as a player.”
Balotelli is less complimentary about Prandelli.
After scoring against England in Italy’s 2-1 win at the World Cup he was criticized as Prandelli’s side failed to reach the knockout stages.
“I think I had two, maybe three chances in all the tournament,” Balotelli said. “Everyone knows I scored against England but I couldn’t do much else. Even Prandelli has said bad stuff about me. Should he be going and talking to newspapers about me straight after a game? I did not expect that.”
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