Author Topic: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli  (Read 289631 times)

Offline DanA

  • misses the Eurovision Glory Days.
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 12,127
  • We all Live in a Red and White Kop
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #440 on: August 29, 2014, 02:46:00 am »
Hardly known for his assists though is he? Suarez set up a lot of goal's for Sturridge, sometimes' both were greedy Sturridge in particular but that was to be expected playing two striker's eager to impress.

Actually he is quite well known for his assist
Quote from: hinesy
He hadn't played as if he was on fire, more the slight breeze cutting across New Brighton on a summer's day than El Nino, the force of nature.

Offline PhaseOfPlay

  • Well red.Tom Jones Lover. AKA Debbie McGee. Apparently.
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 28,289
  • Under 7s Coaching Manual Owner.
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #441 on: August 29, 2014, 02:54:21 am »
Hardly known for his assists though is he? Suarez set up a lot of goal's for Sturridge, sometimes' both were greedy Sturridge in particular but that was to be expected playing two striker's eager to impress.

I think Balotelli's image might cloud how he actually does on the field, though.

The problem with judging a player by assists is that they only count if the receiver scores. So a player may make a decent number of great passes, only for the striker to mess it up. So the pass doesn't show up as an "assist".

Here is a comparison between Balotelli, Suarez, Sturridge, Rooney and Mata.

Obviously, Suarez outshines the lot of them, but that's why he is in the top 3 players in the world. Balotelli is comparable to Sturridge and Mata for chances created, key passes and assist totals, with Rooney ahead, but not by a massive amount. So for setting players up, Balotelli, in a bad Milan team, did a comparable job to some of the "better" attackers in the Premier league. I think he is capable of creating goals for others, but he hasn't had the chance to do so in the Milan team he is in.

In his Man City period in 2012-13, he made 1.22 key passes and 1.22 chances created per game, but no assists. So he DOES put the ball into areas for other to do something with, and the hope is that the way Rodgers sets up an attack means that he gets a lot of the ball, a lot of movement around him, and he gets to play the ball to players in good positions.

I would hazard a guess that this season might be his best season yet (or in a while at least) for actual assists. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.
Better looking than Samie.

Offline ShayGuevara

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,852
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #442 on: August 29, 2014, 06:51:26 am »
Actually he is quite well known for his assist

I guess if he come's up with an assist as important for us he'll be a successful signing.  :D
"The socialism I believe in is everyone working for each other, everyone having a share of the rewards. It's the way I see football, the way I see life" Bill Shankly

Offline ShayGuevara

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,852
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #443 on: August 29, 2014, 06:55:16 am »
I think Balotelli's image might cloud how he actually does on the field, though.

The problem with judging a player by assists is that they only count if the receiver scores. So a player may make a decent number of great passes, only for the striker to mess it up. So the pass doesn't show up as an "assist".

Here is a comparison between Balotelli, Suarez, Sturridge, Rooney and Mata.

Obviously, Suarez outshines the lot of them, but that's why he is in the top 3 players in the world. Balotelli is comparable to Sturridge and Mata for chances created, key passes and assist totals, with Rooney ahead, but not by a massive amount. So for setting players up, Balotelli, in a bad Milan team, did a comparable job to some of the "better" attackers in the Premier league. I think he is capable of creating goals for others, but he hasn't had the chance to do so in the Milan team he is in.

In his Man City period in 2012-13, he made 1.22 key passes and 1.22 chances created per game, but no assists. So he DOES put the ball into areas for other to do something with, and the hope is that the way Rodgers sets up an attack means that he gets a lot of the ball, a lot of movement around him, and he gets to play the ball to players in good positions.

I would hazard a guess that this season might be his best season yet (or in a while at least) for actual assists. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.

Interesting point. Not disagreeing, it was the 1 assist stat with City that put me off as much as anything. It'll be interesting to see how he clicks with Sturridge, I will be amazed if they provide each other with more assists than our SAS or indeed outscore them.

I suppose that is also why we've also signed Markovic, Lallana and Moreno though.
"The socialism I believe in is everyone working for each other, everyone having a share of the rewards. It's the way I see football, the way I see life" Bill Shankly

Offline PhaseOfPlay

  • Well red.Tom Jones Lover. AKA Debbie McGee. Apparently.
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 28,289
  • Under 7s Coaching Manual Owner.
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #444 on: August 29, 2014, 06:59:46 am »
Interesting point. Not disagreeing, it was the 1 assist stat with City that put me off as much as anything. It'll be interesting to see how he clicks with Sturridge, I will be amazed if they provide each other with more assists than our SAS or indeed outscore them.

I suppose that is also why we've also signed Markovic, Lallana and Moreno though.

I think it will be hard to compare anyone with Suarez, because he made so many assists for everyone, but we must also remember, that Sturridge and Suarez only made 8 assists for each other. That's only 2 more than Balotelli made on his own. There isn't much for a Balotelli-Sturridge partnership to live up to, when you think about it.
Better looking than Samie.

Offline bandu

  • Kemlynite
  • **
  • Posts: 29
  • We all Live in a Red and White Kop
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #445 on: August 29, 2014, 07:26:07 am »
Balotelli and Sturridge = BAS

Nah, doesn't sound right.

Mario And Daniel = MAD

That's better  :)

Offline LFCDynamic

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,289
  • To support a team in bad times shows character!
    • LFCDynamic - I Have a Question
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #446 on: August 29, 2014, 10:07:35 am »
Balotelli and Sturridge = BAS

Nah, doesn't sound right.

Mario And Daniel = MAD

That's better  :)

(y)
To support a team in success is easy. But, to support a team even during bad times shows real character.

Offline riismeister

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,754
  • Onwards and upwards
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #447 on: August 29, 2014, 11:46:16 am »
Interesting point. Not disagreeing, it was the 1 assist stat with City that put me off as much as anything. It'll be interesting to see how he clicks with Sturridge, I will be amazed if they provide each other with more assists than our SAS or indeed outscore them.

I suppose that is also why we've also signed Markovic, Lallana and Moreno though.
I've seen that stat a few times now, and I think it was even mentioned by an "expert" on skyports one time, but it is factually incorrect. Balotelli made 7 assists while at City, 3 of those in the Premier League. In his career so far he's made 0.192 assists per 90 minutes on average in Serie A, Coppa Italia, PL, CL, EL, FA Cup, League Cup and with the national team. That's a little bit more often than Sturridge, who is at 0.182 per 90 in the PL, CL, EL, FA Cup, League Cup and national team.

Offline Koprich

  • Fan categorisation police.
  • Kopite
  • *****
  • Posts: 903
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #448 on: August 29, 2014, 11:48:50 am »
Actually he is quite well known for his assist

  ;D

Offline Twitter.com

  • 140 character limitation. Laugh now but one day he'll be in chorge. Media junkie.
  • No new LFC topics
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,477
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #449 on: August 29, 2014, 12:06:35 pm »
Looks good in red  :)

^ That's what you get for posting twitter shite kids.

Offline BigAl24

  • Would rather take one from the whole team than from just one billy goat.
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,403
  • We all Live in a Red and White Kop
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #450 on: August 29, 2014, 12:08:23 pm »
I love the lunatic. Hopefully he can be huge for us.
"We change from doubters to believers. Now"

Offline lamonti

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 8,442
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #451 on: August 29, 2014, 12:08:38 pm »
He's a big lad.

Offline Twitter.com

  • 140 character limitation. Laugh now but one day he'll be in chorge. Media junkie.
  • No new LFC topics
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,477
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #452 on: August 29, 2014, 12:55:17 pm »
 :)









« Last Edit: August 29, 2014, 12:57:33 pm by Bonsky »
^ That's what you get for posting twitter shite kids.

Online Caston

  • Castoff, Knitone, Purlone
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 21,620
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #453 on: August 29, 2014, 12:57:52 pm »
:lmao


Offline iVapor

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,368
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #454 on: August 29, 2014, 12:59:38 pm »
As others have said, can't wait for his free kicks. He also wins a lot of free kicks too.

Offline Mercer

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,465
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #455 on: August 29, 2014, 01:00:23 pm »
Mario looks a proper lad  :D

CANNOT wait for him to make his debut. He's just gotta mark it with a goal, surely.

Offline LFCDynamic

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,289
  • To support a team in bad times shows character!
    • LFCDynamic - I Have a Question
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #456 on: August 29, 2014, 01:01:33 pm »
I love the lunatic. Hopefully he can be huge for us.

To support a team in success is easy. But, to support a team even during bad times shows real character.

Offline JG6

  • Anny Roader
  • ****
  • Posts: 434
  • We all Live in a Red and White Kop
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #457 on: August 29, 2014, 01:03:25 pm »
Hardly a training picture where he and those around him aren't smiling, probably gave the group a really good lift this week after a tough night on Monday.

Offline ianburns252

  • RAWK Economist not the MP spelling and Crosby background differentiate
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,316
  • Gentleman in the streets; freak in the spreadsheet
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #458 on: August 29, 2014, 01:04:12 pm »
Great to see him getting stuck in there with the other lads - him and Lucas seem to be getting on a bit too well though in one of those pics!

Was watching some of those 'every touch' and 'tricks and goals' videos earlier and aside from what we all knew - bit of pace, strong, good feet etc. - I was really impressed with how many times he was back at the halfway line getting the ball off the opposition player and bursting forward.

POP made a great point earlier that the assist stats are misleading, and it was well highlighted here how often he would play a clever backheel, or flick it over the top for the runner but it would fall apart with the shot on goal or the pass into the box from whoever received it.

All in all, very excited to see him against Spurs

Offline Solomon Grundy

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 45,467
  • LFC - Living rent-free in the heads of our rivals
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #459 on: August 29, 2014, 01:05:36 pm »
:)











Looks like he is really enjoying himself. Lets hope it continues to happen. A happy Mario can only be a good thing for us.

Offline Twitter.com

  • 140 character limitation. Laugh now but one day he'll be in chorge. Media junkie.
  • No new LFC topics
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,477
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #460 on: August 29, 2014, 01:10:27 pm »


Emre can't stop bullying Balotelli  :D

« Last Edit: August 29, 2014, 01:14:58 pm by Bonsky »
^ That's what you get for posting twitter shite kids.

Offline robertobaggio37

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 8,162
  • But we will conquer the ball, each fucking time.
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #461 on: August 29, 2014, 01:16:13 pm »
The biggest problem anywhere in the world is that people's perceptions of reality are filtered through the screening mesh of what they want, and do not want, to be true.

Offline Twitter.com

  • 140 character limitation. Laugh now but one day he'll be in chorge. Media junkie.
  • No new LFC topics
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,477
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #462 on: August 29, 2014, 01:17:22 pm »
^ That's what you get for posting twitter shite kids.

Offline MrRaptorTurtle

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,809
  • We all Live in a Red and White Kop
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #463 on: August 29, 2014, 01:18:03 pm »
He and everyone around him in all those pictures look so happy, looks like a great lad to have around and even though it's early days he doesn't look the slightest bit of trouble! I'm sure him and Danny are gonna be the jokers in the group, let's hope they get on together on the pitch too!

Offline Twitter.com

  • 140 character limitation. Laugh now but one day he'll be in chorge. Media junkie.
  • No new LFC topics
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,477
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #464 on: August 29, 2014, 01:22:14 pm »
Mamma mia!

^ That's what you get for posting twitter shite kids.

Offline fowlermagic

  • Ilittarate
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 13,491
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #465 on: August 29, 2014, 01:37:57 pm »
Its going to be an interesting Chapter in his book....My Time At Liverpool. The jury is out in regards to what he will bring to the team as he is replacing one of the most influential attackers on the pitch for us in some time. Of course its up to the TEAM to fill the gap left behind by Suarez's departure but in no doubt this lad thinks he is one of the worlds best players and capable of impacting the side nearly as much as Suarez. I don't think anyone expects him to get close but if he can bring the best that we have seen at City & Milan plus buck up his ideas in regard to effort on the pitch, ie to work as hard without or without the ball....then he has a chance. There is a lad beside him who came here with a lot of ??? about his attitude & talent and Sturridge has answered those questions with tremendous positivity. While Balotelli may never reach the standards set by Suarez if he can match those set by Sturridge then he has a great chance of fulfilling his personal goals with us.
I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi5-V75v-6I

Offline [new username under construction]

  • Poster formerly know as shadowbane. Never lost his head whilst others panicked. Fucking kopite!
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 12,284
  • Insert something awesome here!
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #466 on: August 29, 2014, 01:43:33 pm »
He's obviously a bad influence! Look at the way he has the others smiling! Evil Mario!

Offline Mighty_Red

  • Rojo Poderoso!
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 13,883
  • All hail the King...
    • Join the fight - SOS
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #467 on: August 29, 2014, 01:44:42 pm »
After all those pics of Lucas & Mario, I thought they were holding hands in this one for a second :D



What we will get is a bit of the X-factor with him, someone who can turn a game. His smile is infectious and will lighten the mood at any time. Not sure if he'll start on Sunday but I reckon he'll make an impact at some stage.
Some clubs were always destined for greatness...

Offline Il Capitano

  • Forza Liverpool. This thing of ours...
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,199
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #468 on: August 29, 2014, 01:47:02 pm »
After all those pics of Lucas & Mario, I thought they were holding hands in this one for a second :D

What we will get is a bit of the X-factor with him, someone who can turn a game. His smile is infectious and will lighten the mood at any time. Not sure if he'll start on Sunday but I reckon he'll make an impact at some stage.

I reckon he'll start. That's the sort of thing Brendan would do.

Offline Schmidt

  • 's small stretchy scrotum
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 16,261
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #469 on: August 29, 2014, 01:50:35 pm »
After all those pics of Lucas & Mario, I thought they were holding hands in this one for a second :D

What we will get is a bit of the X-factor with him, someone who can turn a game. His smile is infectious and will lighten the mood at any time. Not sure if he'll start on Sunday but I reckon he'll make an impact at some stage.

They are aren't they? I'm sure one of the training exercises involves running around in a pair.

Offline Cracking Left Foot

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,907
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #470 on: August 29, 2014, 01:52:24 pm »
Aw, huge bromance blossoming between Lucas and Mario. We could be looking at the glory days of Stevie and Nando here.

Offline Mighty_Red

  • Rojo Poderoso!
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 13,883
  • All hail the King...
    • Join the fight - SOS
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #471 on: August 29, 2014, 02:01:56 pm »
Aw, huge bromance blossoming between Lucas and Mario. We could be looking at the glory days of Stevie and Nando here.

So what are you saying? Mario will break Lucas' heart one day? :)
Some clubs were always destined for greatness...

Offline rocco

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 37,252
  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️6 Times Baby ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #472 on: August 29, 2014, 02:14:00 pm »

Offline Rainmac

  • Kemlynite
  • **
  • Posts: 40
  • We all Live in a Red and White Kop
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #473 on: August 29, 2014, 02:22:13 pm »
Looks good for morale so far, really pleased as his impact to our team morale was one of the only things I had really been concerned with.

Online Caston

  • Castoff, Knitone, Purlone
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 21,620
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #474 on: August 29, 2014, 02:31:04 pm »
Rodgers says he is moving to merseyside

Offline flipflan

  • No new LFC topics
  • Main Stander
  • ***
  • Posts: 142
  • Back off Warchild
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #475 on: August 29, 2014, 02:47:07 pm »
Still hasn't learnt to put a bib on!

 ;D  can't wait for him to get started.  Good to see lots of smiles too

Offline masher

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,795
  • hippie at heart
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #476 on: August 29, 2014, 02:50:52 pm »
Rodgers says he is moving to merseyside

Good news. He is ready to buckle down and concentrate on his football, hopefully. Brendan spoke about him looking class in training, he will probably start.

Offline Kadian

  • Trolling along... The Specious One. Whistles the Liquidator as he types disparaging comments about Mario Balotelli So utterly predictable, Moreno's best mate
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,779
  • We're coming
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #477 on: August 29, 2014, 02:57:19 pm »
He's coming across quite well in the photos from training.

Offline Kadian

  • Trolling along... The Specious One. Whistles the Liquidator as he types disparaging comments about Mario Balotelli So utterly predictable, Moreno's best mate
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,779
  • We're coming
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #478 on: August 29, 2014, 02:59:27 pm »
Maybe Borini should be kept as the Italian mate for Balotelli.

Besides we do need a 4th slot striker (however great he might not be).

Offline luckyluke

  • A proponent of intercourse during accelerated perambulation.
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,286
  • Super bonanza extravaganza
Re: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli
« Reply #479 on: August 29, 2014, 03:02:34 pm »
I recommend we use his full name in the title like with the other players, Barwuah is a boss name.