Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has branded Mario Balotelli a waste of time after the Italian failed to bring any sort of spark into Liverpool’s game yesterday against Blackburn in the quarter-final of the FA Cup.
The Italian came on for Lazar Markovic in the 59th minute as the reds searched for the opening goal, but the 24-year old did not show any signs of movement or pace, something that was required of him in the game.
Lawrenson, who won the FA Cup with Liverpool in 1986, said that the Merseysiders would be better off without him, “Forget about Mario Balotelli. He is an absolute waste of time. He shouldn’t be anywhere near this team.
“I can see why Brendan Rodgers threw him on today as he might just create something, but 99 times out of 100 he will let you down.”
Although Balotelli had an average game, Blackburn certainly deserve the credit for defending well. The Lancashire club were compact in defense and Liverpool rarely stretched them and were restricted to a few shots from outside of the box. Lawrenson pointed out that fact as well, “Congratulations to Blackburn Rovers on an absolutely magnificent display. They were never ever desperate at any time,” he added.
“They have looked at how Liverpool have played recently and the tactics were spot on. Goalkeeper Simon Eastwood hasn’t really had to make a real top class save.”
Balotelli is yet to score in the FA Cup and has just four goals for Liverpool this season in all competitions. He was dropped in December by Rodgers after a poor first three months at the club and showed signs of improvement in February when he scored against Tottenham and put in a decent shift against Besiktas in the Europa League.
Despite his performance, it would be somewhat unfair to blame Balotelli alone as pretty much everyone was made to look ordinary by Blackburn’s strong defensive showing. The likes of Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge were average to say the least.
The replay will be in early April [7th or 8th] and Brendan Rodgers will have a major headache as the game falls in between their fixtures against Manchester United and Arsenal in the League who are competing with Liverpool for a top four finish. It might help Liverpool if tonight’s game featuring Manchester United and Arsenal ends in a draw as that’ll even things up a little.
