If Premier League watchers thought Mario Balotelli had kick-started his Liverpool career after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur as a substitute, they were a little mistaken. Even though the Italian has scored twice and assisted once since, he is still visibly struggling coming into first-team contention. The former City player has not been used against Manchester City as well as Burnley and his Instagram post after Liverpool’s win over the Clarets mid-week suggested that all is not well between the player and manager Brendan Rodgers. He posted on his Instagram account: a a Someone doesna t Like me But differently [sic] of what they say about me im a team player and im so proud of my team, of this win and of these fans! leta s keep going bravi ragazzi!!! YNWA !!!a
But Mario Balotellia s agent claims the A?16m frontman is being asked to do new things at Liverpool a like running without the ball.
The comments made by the Italian’s agent to RMC in France come in the wake of Balotelli’s post and Mino Raiola claims that the 24 year old is growing as a player and a footballer because of the Northern Irishman’s influence and is being asked to perform new tasks on the field by his manager.
Raiola said, a Right now, I think Mario makes a very interesting development for his career.
a He found a coach (Brendan Rodgers) who asks him things that had never requested of it until now. Including the fact of running without the ball.
a This allows him to grow as a person and as a football player. He will come out even stronger. He is proud of his team (Liverpool) and that is the most important.a
He has started only once since November 8 – in the Europa League exit to Besiktas last week – and has scored only four goals, all in different competitions for the Merseysiders. After scoring the winner against Spurs and assisting Lallana’s winner against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup, it seemed as though Balotelli had turned things around for himself but it seems as though his Liverpool future remains clouded.