I will love you forever,
the Debate Continues
Your views on Mario Balotelli’s 70 minutes on the pitch will invariably be shaped by your views on Mario Balotelli’s entire 2014-15 season.
The Italian striker had a couple of long-range strikes, linked neatly with Jordon Ibe once or twice and dropped deep to get involved in build-up play, but also never really looked to run in behind the West Brom defence, didn’t hold up the ball inside the box and certainly never threatened Boaz Myhill.
Whether the instruction was for him to find space outside the box or not, Balotelli did it, but without runners from midfield Liverpool didn’t take advantage of the gaps he left in attack. As such, there was rarely much of a penalty box presence and the team’s failure to score a goal will inevitably see spotlight fall on the No. 45.
He wasn’t terribly sharp, but hasn’t had much football. He didn’t have a strike partner, but also lost possession too easily anyway. He didn’t score, but nobody gave him a clear chance.
How much is Balotelli’s fault, and how much is systemic of the team?
The only obvious outcome from it all is that, right now, they’re not compatible together. Your views on Mario will dictate whether you think the team needs to incorporate him better, or the Reds need to get rid.