Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli a player at the crossroads
When Liverpool shelled out £16 million ($24.6m) for AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, the Reds expected a goal return akin to the one the Italian produced during his time at the San Siro. His Rossoneri return was excellent, 26 goals … Continue reading →

When Liverpool shelled out £16 million ($24.6m) for AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, the Reds expected a goal return akin to the one the Italian produced during his time at the San Siro.

His Rossoneri return was excellent, 26 goals in 43 appearances, despite being labelled as a ‘bad apple’ by Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi.

Yet, what Liverpool got for its money was a player more interested in Instagram videos to his critics than putting in quality shifts for a full 90 minutes.

Sixteen English Premier League matches with one goal is all Balotelli has mustered in 2014/15, and Liverpool has looked far from the team that set a club record with 101 goals a season ago. This season’s total, currently at 47 after the team’s most recent loss to Hull, was always going to suffer due to Luis Suarez’s departure.

In truth, no one expected Balotelli to be the ‘new’ Suarez. However, few expected him to score less goals in his first season than Andriy Voronin did in his entire Liverpool career.

Since arriving on Merseyside, Balotelli’s game has suffered to adapt. Though that could be said about several of last summer’s signings. But while the likes of Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic have worked to improve this season, Balotelli has looked similar to the disenfranchised striker that sulked on the Manchester City sidelines under Roberto Mancini.

Of course, Liverpool supporters have stuck by Balotelli, hoping for one of his moments of brilliance. However, fans have mostly been treated to his spells of madness and disinterest.

Unfortunately, scoring isn’t the only aspect of Balotelli’s game to be left behind in Italy last summer. His pass success rate is at 69.7% in the Premier League, 2.8% lower than last season at Milan. He is taking less shots per game as well, which, more times than not, are outside of the penalty area.

When Liverpool signed Balotelli, there is no question Milan was happy to see him leave. Team owner Berlusconi even revealed he never wanted the ex-Inter Milan man at the club.

“I remember he was bought against my advice,” Berlusconi told La Gazzetta dello Sport last autumn.

Poor form and injuries have also resulted in Balotelli being unable to complete a full 90 minutes since last November. That game saw Liverpool lose away to Newcastle.

On Tuesday night, Balotelli had ‘another shocker’ against Hull in their 1-0 defeat; and it was a similar story for him. Replaced after 65 minutes due to a foot injury, Balotelli had a mere 19 touches and attempted two shots – with one being a typical long-range effort. Of the starting XI, the Italian had the fewest pass attempts (15) and the lowest pass accuracy rating (66.7%).

Statistically, he just isn’t holding up, but so often statistics can overlook key contributions on the field in soccer. In Balotelli’s case, statistics are simply evidence to a bad season from the striker.

What next for both Liverpool and Balotelli? After the defeat on Tuesday night, Rodgers laid down some harsh truths to his team via the media.

“Every player, every day they come in, is working for their future,” the manager explained.

But does Balotelli have much of a future left with the Reds? The rumor mill was spinning in early March when Major League Soccer expansion team Orlando City was linked to Balotelli’s signature.

The club is already home to Kaka, who, by all reports and interviews, seems incredibly happy with his move stateside. If Balotelli is looking to get away from his critics, then North America may be the perfect place.

Soccer is covered far less than baseball, basketball and American football, which would be ideal for a player looking to have more of a private life. In addition, the critical nature of sports journalists is not as great in the US compared to England, and this could be one of the most appealing aspect of joining the MLS.

Perhaps the anonymity would suit the former Italian international. His name and ‘bad boy’ persona would also endear him to the fans of a newly fashioned soccer hot-bed at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl Stadium.

At 24, there are teams that are still willing to take a gamble on Balotelli. However, after his season with Liverpool, there are far fewer teams willing to place a wager on him.

Still a mercurial talent, it’s unfortunate that the same things have been written about Balotelli for several years now. Only he can silence his critics, but Instagram videos are certainly not the way to do it.

Follow Drew Farmer on Twitter @Calciofarmer. Drew Farmer is a Manchester, England-based journalist/blogger for ForzaItalianFootball.com and World Soccer Talk. Originally from southwest Missouri, Drew covers Italy’s Serie A, the English Premier League and the USA’s Major League Soccer.