If he plays like it did against Spurs then I don't mind. Problem is he only plays like that once in a dozen or so games.
Balotelli has been gradually improving all season. I think when he arrived he had never done all this pressing and constant moving before and it was a bit over whelming for him, and I think that over powered every thing else in his mind like getting in the 6 yard box. But he's starting to get it now. Even though he's still not the best at it he is contributing. Balotelli also feeds well from wingers and crosses, which we actually have for once with this system.
I think it is clear that he has improved. I remember an early CL game (where he actually scored...) where he spent most of the game standing still, walking in little circles or shooting from 30 yards. As the seasons gone on he has started to put more into his pressing and movement. Almost all of his good performances have come as a substitute but those substitute appearances have all been his more recent games. I'm not saying he's now playing great. His starting point to improve on was doing nothing, which improved to doing some thing, which against Spurs progressed to doing some thing productive. Sturridge cannot be pushed into doing to much to soon or he will break again, Borini has been ok but his end product has been no better than Balotelli's. Balotelli deserves a chance to build on his good performance.
so you are saying rather than an indulgent petulant child he's now barely average. now i think from 74 min to 95 min is not precisly evidence. I'm sure he'll get a go v palace in the cup but...... c'mon... until he delivers this is really previous on the guy. i remain to be convinced.
I want revenge on palace and Pardew for the semi final defeat in 1990. And let's be honest, nothing beats FA Cup Final day when Liverpool are playing.
I would like to See Balotelli and Sturridge play, to help Sturridge gain fitness anyway. Ibe to get more game time if he wasn't cup tied, Lallana too, Lovren given a chance. ----------------Mignolet ------Lovren---Skrtel---Sakho (not)Ibe------Allen------Another------Enrique ----------------Lallana ----------Sturridge---Balotelli
Just want to say this I feel we will do well to take back to anfield. I'd take the draw if offered A quick two goal salvo in first 15 mins would go down a treat of course
I'd never, ever take a draw before a ball was kicked- no matter who we're playing. Certainly not Palace - no disrespect to them, but this game is entirely winnable, and we should be going into it with that attitude. We should go into every game with that attitude.
Oh alright smartarse, perhaps on the very rare occasion when a draw might hand you a trophy or in the second leg of a tie you're already up in. Not however, to gain a replay or take a point against a strong team- not before the game.
We need to prioritise the game against Soton, then the EL then FA Cup. Rodgers doesn't rotate teams - he needs to work on that aspect of the game. But he needs to bring in the likes of Johnson, Manquillo, Lovren, Mario, Allen etc every now and game to keep the team fresh.
