Before all you fan boys get out your stakes out and start your trash can fires, this post isn't going to be a complete slagging of Balotelli. Everyone has to understand the expectations that come with a name like 'Super' Mario. Unfortunately, the fact that we didn't pay £24m for his loan move (you're chum, Falcao) won't matter, even if we had gotten him on a free, he will always be a target for the press and opposition supporters. He didn't do himself any favors against Spurs though.
Balotelli had 34 possessions (or touches) at White Hart Lane, completed just 8 of 16 passes, took 5 shots, but only one was on-goal. Factor in his (lack of) defensive contributions and he was accountable for 12 negative changes of possession in 61 minutes. He did have a chance created and three clearances though.
His attacking efficiency ended up being 0.324, the worst on the team. For perspective, Lazar Markovic who has played a similar 59 minutes, destroys 'Super' Mario with a 0.744. Sturridge who is worst on the team among minutes played qualifiers is still better than his Italian strike-mate with a 0.532. Even Ricky Lambert betters him with 0.625.
He had a poor debut, you can either admit it or take residence in delusion land, where Glenn Johnson is still a good right back. When he has such matches, he has to do the one thing that can be quantified, he has to create space. He has to be a threat, go to open areas and force the opposition defence take notice, so Sturridge, Sterling, and other teammate have room to operate.
My feed was down the past couple of days so if you want to go to any missed articles they are below:
Liverpool has played the hardest schedule, boasts the best defence
Wanted: Yaya Sanogo, for impersonating a footballer (Match Day 3 morsels)
Skrtel top defensively, Flamini take over attack & overall efficiency
Tottenham 0, Liverpool 3: Sometimes moments of madness
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