Mario Balotelli must score more goals for Liverpool, demands Brendan Rodgers

 

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Improve: Brendan Rodgers and Mario Balotelli
Carl Markham6 October 2014

Brendan Rodgers has demanded more goals from his £16m striker Mario Balotelli.

After Wednesday's Champions League defeat in Basle, the Italy striker marched off the pitch without a second look to the travelling supporters but Rodgers was more concerned with the player's form.

"In terms of his behaviour he is consciously trying to work hard at the aspects of the game of which we demand here in terms of intensity and work-rate," he said.

"In terms of goals he needs to improve, it is as simple as that.

"Not just him but any striker is judged on goals and at this moment he hasn't probably hit the numbers he would want to."

Balotelli was criticised for not touching the ball in the penalty area once in Switzerland but his manager offered some defence.

"That is down to the team. You have to get yourself into those areas but it was about the service arriving in and our quality last night wasn't to the standard.

"But you also have to be able to score and create goals yourself as a front player and he didn't do that.

FC Basel v Liverpool - player ratings

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"Confidence is a little bit low in the team and it can become about the individual but that isn't what we are about.

"This club is about the whole function of the team and when we work to that principle that is when we are at our best."

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