The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsThe enigma that is Mario Balotelli faces an uncertain time as he faces being bombed out of Liverpool if his persistent bad attitude continues and manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed it is now up to the Italian striker to prove that he wants to remain at Anfield.
The former Manchester City striker has been a thorn in many of his previous sides, with an attitude that has seen him go from the sublime to the ridiculous in a short space of time. The talent is there for all to see and it is no coincidence that his most inspiring displays have come in the colours of his national side.
Last season proved to be a difficult one for all concerned at Anfield, but manager Rodgers could be forgiven for thinking he expected more from a player that has all the talent in the world. Last season he played just 16 times for Liverpool, scoring just the one goal, which was a stark contrast of his previous season at AC Milan where he bagged 26 goals in just 43 appearances for the Italian giants.
At just 24 years of age, Balotelli has many more seasons left at the top of the footballing tree but he is fast gaining an attitude that could see very few clubs want to accept the baggage that comes with the Italian striker. Since bursting onto the scene as a youngster, Balotelli has commanded top wages and top transfer fees but with options running out, a change of attitude and a commitment to a work ethic, that most footballers have would be a welcome site for Liverpool fans.
He certainly seems more settled out of the eyes of the English press, who at times with many players and Balotelli himself, have had pressure heaped onto them. His most successful stints have been back in his homeland with the Milan clubs, and all it takes is for the right manager to come along and give Balotelli from the childish behavior often attributed to him to a more mature outlook that will see him continue to be put aside with the world’s best players.
