Balotelli Rates Himself a 7/10 Despite Goal Drought at Liverpool
Under fire for a slow start at Liverpool, Mario Balotelli has finally responded to his critics, defending his efforts on the pitch and insisting the goals will come soon.
The Italian striker, who joined the Reds from AC Milan for €20 million, has yet to score in the Premier League after nine appearances. His overall tally in all competitions stands at a modest three goals, far below expectations for a high-profile signing.
Despite this, Balotelli remains upbeat. Speaking about his performance so far in the 2014-2015 season, the 24-year-old rated himself quite positively:
“I give myself a seven out of ten because I run more than before. The goals will come — they just haven’t arrived yet. But running like I do now, I’ve never done it before.”
His remarks reflect a focus on work rate rather than end product — a shift from his previous criticisms of being lazy or disinterested. However, his self-assessment is unlikely to sit well with many Liverpool fans or club officials, who expected more output from the Italian forward.
As pressure mounts on manager Brendan Rodgers and the team struggles to find consistency, Balotelli’s form — or lack of it — remains a major talking point on Merseyside. With Liverpool needing goals, especially in the absence of the injured Daniel Sturridge, the spotlight on Balotelli is unlikely to dim anytime soon.
