Football
PA Sport 9y

Mario Balotelli agent says Rodgers will make him stronger at Liverpool

Mario Balotelli's agent claims manager Brendan Rodgers is pushing the Liverpool striker further than anyone has before in his career.

Balotelli, 24, has worked under the likes of Jose Mourinho and Roberto Mancini at Inter Milan, but it appears Rodgers is the one who has pushed the Italy international furthest out of his comfort zone.

"Right now, I think Mario has a very interesting development for his career,'' Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola told radio station RMC. "He has found a coach who asks of him things that had never been requested of him until now, including the discipline of running without the ball.

"This allows him to grow as a person and as a football player. He'll come out even stronger. He is proud of his team (Liverpool) and that is the most important.''

Balotelli has had a less-than-impressive start to his Anfield career after a 16 million-pound move from AC Milan in the summer.

While he has struggled with injury this season, the striker has started only once since Nov. 8 -- in the Europa League exit to Besiktas on penalties last week -- and has scored only four goals, all in different competitions, and just one in the Premier League.

Having been an unused substitute for the second successive match Balotelli, after the midweek win over Burnley, posted a cryptic message on Instagram.

The Italian wrote: "Someone doesn't like me but differently (sic) of what they say about me I'm a team player and I'm so proud of my team, of this win and of these fans! Let's keep going. Bravi Ragazzi!!! YNWA !!!''

^ Back to Top ^