Author Topic: Welcome to Liverpool - Mario Balotelli (Read 291358 times)

Should have scored after 2 minutes.

Good performance, did a lot of things to link up and hold up play.

If he can turn in performances like that, he'll add a lot of things to us.

Cid · « **Reply #575 on:** August 31, 2014, 03:35:12 pm »

His ability to hold up the ball has helped us. We missed that hugely in the first two games and he does it very well. Clearly not quite fit yet but it'll come.

clinical · « **Reply #576 on:** August 31, 2014, 03:36:36 pm »

Not fit but you know we have a player on our hands, but we always knew that didn't we

indlfc · « **Reply #577 on:** August 31, 2014, 03:42:32 pm »

Anyone has a gif of BR laughing at Balotelli's miss

jooneyisdagod · « **Reply #578 on:** August 31, 2014, 03:43:21 pm »

Very impressed by how hard he worked even when things didn't work out for him perfectly. Also created so much space for Sturridge. I think they can be a great partnership if they keep getting better this way. Needs to work on the training pitch and improve his through passing though. There was one occasion where Sturridge was on the last man and almost begging for a through ball that Mario completely missed. But if they keep playing together I think it'll start clicking more. Very promising debut.

Koplord · « **Reply #579 on:** August 31, 2014, 03:50:30 pm »

Looked rusty and made some poor decisions but he displayed some really encouraging moments.

Worked well for the team and probably should of got atleast 1

Melbred · « **Reply #580 on:** August 31, 2014, 03:53:37 pm »

Nice to see he's already putting in a shift. His usually lethal finishing will come back as he gets back up to speed with the PL and regains that sharpness.

I love the fact Rodgers just laughed when Balotelli fluffed that shot, think he's the right man to get the best out of Mario.

unknownuser · « **Reply #581 on:** August 31, 2014, 03:53:56 pm »

Looked good for his first game with new teammates and not being 100% match fit.

dmorgan · « **Reply #582 on:** August 31, 2014, 03:55:00 pm »

Worked hard and was impressed with his link up play....lacked the finishing touch though but that was mainly down to a bit of rustiness I believe. His mere presence made us look far more threatening than against Man City

Michel · « **Reply #583 on:** August 31, 2014, 03:58:41 pm »

I liked his work-rate.

Samie · « **Reply #584 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:00:01 pm »

I actually fear for Aston Villa in two weeks time. He's out of the Italy squad for god knows what reason. Probably because Conte is a prick. He'll have two weeks to get to know our play and be more fit.

rlpolobear9 · « **Reply #585 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:00:14 pm »

He was great out there today only thing to make a prefect debut would have been a goal but on the looks of it that should come

rob1408 · « **Reply #586 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:01:04 pm »

Quote from: Samie on August 31, 2014, 04:00:01 pm

I actually fear for Aston Villa in two weeks time. He's out of the Italy squad for god knows what reason. Probably because Conte is a prick. He'll have two weeks to get to know our play and be more fit.

Probably because he's suspended for the qualifier so Conte is having a look at other forwards.

Butter Keks · « **Reply #587 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:01:25 pm »

Once he's up to speed with the team and gets his sharpness back he's going to score a fucking hatful.

Djimi Smicer34 · « **Reply #588 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:02:09 pm »

Could have had a hat-trick in the first half and his overall work rate was very good.

Thought it was an impressive debut, he's obviously a bit off the pace but today was a very good start.

indlfc · « **Reply #589 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:10:03 pm »

Quote from: Djimi Smicer on August 31, 2014, 04:02:09 pm

Could have had a hat-trick in the first half and his overall work rate was very good.

He won a header from left back position, after few minutes he won a tackle from right back position.

rscanderlech · « **Reply #590 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:11:42 pm »

He had some nice moments, but some not-so-great finishing as well, which is understandable for his first game, less than a week since joining. You could tell that if he stays focused and becomes tactically in sync with the rest of the team, he will be as lethal as Sturridge.

Harris96 · « **Reply #591 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:15:55 pm »

At a club where he'll do well with a manger who will manage him right. There was a point where he held the ball up, turned and barged kaboul off the ball and out sturridge through, only for the ball to come back to him with lloris out of goal. He smashed it wide with a shit shot but Rodgers starts smiling and applauding for the work he done in the build up. Mancini and mourinho would never have done that.

Michel · « **Reply #592 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:20:29 pm »

Anyone noticed the replay when Balotelli played that ball to Sterling in the first half with Brendan smiling with satisfaction in the background?
That was great.

SwordInYourGut · « **Reply #593 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:20:43 pm »

Impressed with hos workrate and his game overall today. Goals will come, no doubt if he keeps it up. Equally was very impressed with Sturridge's workrate. He didn't always put in so much last year, he looks even better this year probably down to better fitness levels and no niggling injury concerns

TepidT2O · « **Reply #594 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:21:13 pm »

@SamWallaceIndy: Rodgers: "I said to Mario, 'You're picking up a man at [defensive] corners'. He said: 'I don't mark at corners'. I said: 'You do now'"

HardworkDedication · « **Reply #595 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:22:54 pm »

Rodgers on Balotelli: "I am giving him responsibility. For first time in his life, he marked at a corner. I am serious."

Balotelli to Rodgers: "I don't mark at corners."

Rodgers to Balotelli: "You do now."

From Rodgers' press conference.

CraigDS · « **Reply #596 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:23:52 pm »

Quote from: Tepid Hubwis on August 31, 2014, 04:21:13 pm

@SamWallaceIndy: Rodgers: "I said to Mario, 'You're picking up a man at [defensive] corners'. He said: 'I don't mark at corners'. I said: 'You do now'"

Thought he looked very good given he will certainly be a little rusty and settling into the team. If he continues to improve from this level and can keep his head down and work hard then he's going to be a boss player for us.

MolbyLovesGravlax · « **Reply #597 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:28:11 pm »

Obviously isn't fully up to speed, but his willingness to put in the hardwork was excellent to see. And when he just shrugged off Kaboul (who, if nothing else, is one of the stronger defenders in the league) you could see the extra dimension he is going to add to us.

robertobaggio37 · « **Reply #598 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:33:40 pm »

Mario Balotelli ‏@FinallyMario 3 min.

Great win! Wonderful experience to play my first match in Liverpool FC shirt #Honor fans were fantastic👍👍travel safe back home #LFC #YNWA❤️

BigAl24 · « **Reply #599 on:** August 31, 2014, 04:34:43 pm »

He was good today. Finishing aside, very good. But that'll come with match sharpness.