Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli criticizes Liverpool
Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli criticizes Liverpool

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

former AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli claims Joining Liverpool was the “worst decision of my life.”

Liverpool acquired the controversial striker from AC Milan in 2014 for £16 million in hopes of revamping their attack line.

In 28 matches with Reds, Balotelli managed only four goals before being loaned back to the Seri A side, where his form dropped tremendously only scoring one goal in 20 appearances before moving to Nice on a free transfer this summer.

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Before making his debut for the French side, the 26-year-old revealed told Canal Plus: “Apart from the fans, who were fantastic, and some players who I got on really well with, I didn’t like the club.”

“I had two coaches, with Rodgers and Klopp for a short time, but neither their methods nor their personality left me with a good impression,” Balotelli said.

“I never really felt right there.”

Former Reds winger El Hadji Diouf, who spent three years at the club claims Steven Gerrard was to blame for Balotelli’s failure at Liverpool.

    “I told him not to go to Liverpool. It wasn’t made for him, that things couldn’t go well with Gerrard, who has never had his talent and then said negative things about him,” Diouf told L’Equipe.

    “Gerrard is a jealous man who doesn’t like men of character. Mario is a good person that you should listen to. He’s not a guy who’s going to cause problems in the dressing room.

    “There are a lot of things that have been made up about him. People tell tales about him, but they’re often a load of rubbish.”

    Brendan Rodgers, who initially penned the Italian striker was relieved on October 2015, with German coach Jurgen Klopp taking over managerial duties.

    Winning the Balon d’0r

    Former France and Roma midfielder Olivier Dacourt asked Balotelli if he can still win the Balon d’Or in an interview.

    “Of course. It’s not too late,” he said. “I think I could have already won it by now, but by working hard in training I could still win it in the next two or three years.”

    More from Playing for 90

      In his first game with Nice against Olympique Marseille, Balotelli bagged a double, opening the score by converting on a penalty in the 7th minutes.

      With the game tied 1-1, Balotelli struck again. This time heading home a pivotal goal for his new club.

      If he can keep his head on straight, Balotelli could do what Hatem Ben Arfa did for Nice last campaign. Where is Ben Arfa right now? Oh yes, playing for Paris Saint-Germain.

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