Akinfenwa backs Balotelli to be a "success" at Liverpool

Mario Balotelli has endured a tough Premier League come back, but AFC Wimbledon striker Adebayo Akinfenwa believes that he will be a "success" at Liverpool.

Image source : FFC.com

The Italian joined the Reds from AC Milan last summer in a £16m deal, with replacing sold striker Luis Suarez his major aim according to reports.

However, 'Balo' has appeared out of his depth back in England - he had played for Machester City before- and has been linked with a move away from the club this summer amied suggetions manager Brendan Rodgers has lost faith in him.

But Akinfenwa - a cult hero of the modern game thanks to his physical stature- believes that Balotelli will come good for Liverpool, the team he supports, if given time.

"I think it has been tough for Balotelli to come to Liverpool. I think that Balotelli has got a style of play and I think Liverpool has a different style of play." He is quoted by the London Evening Standard.

"Brendan Rodgers knew how Balotelli plays and you are asking him to play a different way, and as a footballer a manager should do their research to play with somebody strength, don't try to focus his weaknesses. I think it is the reason why it has been difficult but it takes time.

"I hope he stays, I want him to stay because I think he is a good person, football needs characters like him so I hope he becomes a success and I am glad he scored recently to get off the mark. I just think it's been tough and he didn't realise how tough it would be.

"But he is a proffessional, he's been at all the top clubs in the world so he will get through it and I am sure it will be a success."

Balotelli shows his other side of him has a responsible Father

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli still shows he cant just stop been in the news after he posted a picture of him self on bed with his daughter Pia.
              
The 24-year-old has really face a lot recently with him dropping inform and couldn't yet replicate the goal scoring form that makes Liverpool signed in the summer for £16m.

The Italian man will be hoping to revive his career with Liverpool so that he can justify the reason why his been brought to Anfield.

Balotelli on the Verge of moving to MLS side Orlando City in the Summer

Liverpool Out of form striker Mario Balotelli is being linked with a shock move to MLS side Orlando City in the summer, after failing to impress at Anfield this season, according to reports from the Express.
          
The 24-year-old Italian was given a regular role in the first half of the Premier League campaign in the absence of Daniel Sturridge, but ti now, was only able to grab one league goal.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has made a number of changes to his tactics and has since been registering a number of positive results without an out-and-out striker on the field.

His decision to play Raheem Sterling as a forward alongside the fit again Daniel Sturridge has resulted in the Italy international occupying a place on the bench.

The former AC Milan man is now being linked with a move to Orlando, where he could team up with ex-teammate Kaka.

However, both Lazio and Sampdoria have declared their interest in bringing the player back to the Serie A, with what could be his last chance to prove himself in Europe.

According to reports gathered from Footballfancast.com 

King of spot kicks Balotelli gave Liverpool the needed victory over Beskitas

Liverpool misfiring striker Mario Balotelli has regain his momentum in front of goal, has the Italian got the winning goal in the last 10 minutes for Liverpool in their Uefa Europa League last round of -32 matches against Beskitas of turkey.
             
The 24-year-old came in as a substitute in the 70th minutes, but he was so influential ever since he came on the pitch.

Balotelli took the responsibility upon him self to take the penalty after Jordan Ibe was fouled in the last 10 minutes of the game, he collected the ball from the stand in captain Henderson and appeared to get in disagreement with both the Midfielder and the striker Daniel Sturridge. Henderson look over to the bench but there was no signal..

But striker Balotelli insisted in taking it since he has only missed just 2 out of the 28 penalties he has taken scoring 26 penalties before the Thursday game and appeared determined to take the spot kick, placing the ball on the spot kick and slotted it in beautifully by sending the keeper the wrong way.

The goal was Mario Balotelli's fourth the season and his second in Europe.

The striker celebrated the goal with his team-mates including their team captain of the night Henderson,who initially acknowledged the goal by tapping the striker on shoulder, before Balotelli pulled him back for a hug.

In the reports and interview with Henderson on ITV concerning the spot kick he said "It was a big goal,"

"I wanted the penalty, Mario felt confident he has taken big penalties before. Everyone wants to take them. i felt confident in Mario, he has taken big penalties before and he got the nod."

The Italian also has this to say after he took the  penalty away from his captain on Instagram :

Mario Balotelli        ✔ @FinallyMario

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And .. Thank all of you supporters . Thanks with all my heart. You are great. Now let's think about sunday match

Video footage of Balotelli Penalty kick

Sturridge believe him and Balotelli can form successful strike Partnership for Liverpool

Liverpool fit-again striker Daniel Sturridge believe and full confident that he and Mario Balotelli can forge a successful partnership as their club look to secure a place in the next season Champions League.

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Sturridge made his first Premier League start since August in Liverpool's 3-2 win againt top-four rivals Tottenham on Tuesday night, but it was former Manchester City striker Balotelli that hit the net on the night.

According to reports (Daily Mail), The 24-year-old Italy striker came off the bench, replacing Sturridge, and scored the winner for the Brendan Rodgers' side - his first Premier League strike since joining the Anfield club last summer from AC Milan.

Balotelli's best game for Liverpool came alongside Sturridge at White Hart Lane on his debut last August and the 25-year-old believes they can combine as a pair going forward.

Sturridge said: 'He's been waiting for a while to break his duck and been working very hard in training, and now he has scored one in the league i am sure things will start to go his way now.

'For me it's always about trying to help players who are here, not just Mario, but all the boys who are at the club. it's not easy to settle into a new team, a new area, a new lifestyle, with different people around you and so on and so forth.

'People don't even take that into account. I just try to do my bit, although i'm not taking any credit for him scoring- I'm just happy he did.'

Sturridge added: 'Whatever team the manager chooses to put out i will do my best whoever i have a partnership with. I try to adapt to whoever i am playing with and bring out the best in each other, and we (me and Mario) click when we are playing together.'

'But it is not just about me trying to do what i do - in the Tottenham game (in August) i played a little bit differently to how i did on Tuesday.

'I know Philipe Coutinho likes to thread balls through so i had to play on the shoulder a bit more.

'With Mario i can move around and go into wide areas because i know he will occupy the occupy the centre-halves.

'You play differently with different players and i am sure we will strike up a partnership in the future, i have no doubts about that.

Balotelli first Premier League goal win's it for the Reds'

Liverpool, Italian striker Mario Balotelli hit the back of the net for the first time in English Premier League games for Liverpool against tough option side Tottenham Hotspur last night.
                             
It took him Thirteen games and seven months in to a Barclay's Premier League career with Liverpool that may not last beyond this summer, but he finally contributed a goal and it may just be one to give his team's season the impetus it needs.
                           
Credit to a wonderful pass from Adam Lallana, who droves in from the right hand side to lay a superb low cross that was timed perfectly from the Italian striker, and he tapped it in pass Hugo Lloris into the net to increased Liverpool lead to 3-2 after losing their lead twice.

The hard earn victory now sends Liverpool to within a point between them and spurs, and also within 3 point into the top four position. They lay currently on 7th position on the log standings, with Thirteen games left to end the season.

The 24-year-old striker said on social media Facebook, twitter and Instagram after the match along with a picture to show how happy he was, "Great game guys!!! This smile is ONLY for those that always Believe and support me.

"Thank you. ❤️and Forza Liverpool with a combo sign. But now head down and keep working hard. Tonight is past."