ESPN FC’s Sid Lowe believes Mario Balotelli may be overrated, but Craig Burley stands firm with Liverpool’s decision to purchase the Italian striker.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said Mario Balotelli had “worked very well and very hard” after watching his side held to a 0-0 draw by Hull at Anfield.
Balotelli retained his place in the starting lineup despite being substituted at the break in the Champions League home defeat to Real Madrid, but was unable to take a late chance to snatch all three points after a Philippe Coutinho cross.
Rodgers praised his side for an improved performance against the Tigers, but said he was frustrated that they could not turn spells of dominance into maximum points.
“I thought it was a great response for us from the game in midweek,” he told his postmatch news conference.
“We were maybe a bit slow in the first half, but in the second half we were outstanding with the energy and effort we put into the game. We created chances.
“It was a game we should have had three points from. We had enough chances. I’m frustrated that we didn’t win, but performance-wise I’m happy with our reaction to the midweek game.”
Reflecting on the late chance for Balotelli, who had also had a headed opportunity to score his first Premier league goal for the Merseysiders, Rodgers said: “There were a couple of chances that fell for him around the six-yard box.
“It was a great run by Philippe Coutinho, he opened up his foot to try to guide it in — it was a big chance and we had one or two of those in the game but we just couldn’t quite put the ball in the net.
“I thought Mario worked very well and very hard. He maybe thought he wasn’t going to play today. You saw that he is working hard and at the moment he’s doing his best.
“Unfortunately, it’s about confidence sometimes when you don’t get the goal. He kept going and kept getting into the areas, and I thought he and Rickie Lambert worked very well when the substitutes came on.
“Goalscorers will tell you they get their energy and confidence from the ball hitting the back of the net. It’s just not quite happening for him in terms of that, but all I ask is that they do their best.
“You saw today’s reaction — he worked very hard and he was just unlucky we didn’t get the goal. He’ll be disappointed he hasn’t scored.”