AE Sports
Home / Football / ”You Can’t Take Penalties” Rodgers Tells Baloteli

”You Can’t Take Penalties” Rodgers Tells Baloteli

 

Brendan Rodgers has given Mario Balotelli his first reality check at Anfield – he’s not taking Liverpool’s penalties.

Balotelli is world renowned for his spot-kick skills and believes the ­vital job should be his alone.

But the Italian hot-head won’t be barging his captain Steven Gerrard out of the way when a referee points to the spot in the future.

Balotelli, 24, now knows his place after asking the question when he linked up with his new team-mates in the Etihad dressing room after Liverpool’s defeat by his old club Manchester City.

Kop boss Rodgers said: “He asked who takes the penalties. He’s ­brilliant at it and he knows it as well. But Steven Gerrard is the ­penalty taker.”

Rodgers has been determined since Balotelli’s arrival that the ­circus which normally follows him around the world will not pitch up at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground.

He’s treating Balotelli just like any other of his players – even blanking a request for a press conference to unveil his new £16million signing.

“This is a guy I believe can help us but he’s not the star of the team”

“I’m not talking about ­Balotelli every week that’s for sure. Everything he does off the field gets looked at.

“He does stupid things but I just want to really make sure he’s focused on his football to make sure this isn’t a ­circus around one player.

“When he came in we were asked about the press conference. I said, ‘What press conference?’

“It’s the same as every other player. There was no press conference for Adam Lallana or Lazar Markovic. Just get up the stairs, hold the shirt, get your photograph taken and get out.

“He’s a good kid but you can’t make them feel as if they’re more than what they are. Then the ego goes with it. He’s a talented player and a good guy. Focus on your football and work your socks off.

“And that’s what he’s done. In training this week he’s been out for 45 minutes after training doing extras. Doing specifics. Practising free kicks. Touch. Penalites – even in the rain.

“My eyes were totally wide open when I signed him. I knew every question would come but also we’d have the opportunity to knock it away. The biggest thing about Liverpool is the team.

“But Mario’s got a winning ­mentality. I recognise that when I speak to him on that front. In his first ­season at City he won the FA Cup and in the second ­season he won the league.

“So he is a winner and scores goals at the highest level both for club and ­country. Let’s measure him over the course of time. We will give the kid a chance.

“He will make mistakes but he’s got wonderful charisma on the field. He’s got beautiful feet. A lovely touch on the ball, great skill, power and pace.

“Once he picks up the elements of this team and how he needs to work to be in this team, then you have got a player who is a ­genuine world-class talent.”