Letting misfit striker leave suits Liverpool and his old boss
Published:
Liverpool’s need to recruit fresh striking talent in January was painfully highlighted at bitter rivals Manchester United, as poor finishing from the Reds allowed their hosts to march off into the distance with a 3-0 win.
Makeshift centre-forward Raheem Sterling was most guilty of passing up glorious opportunities to score, but Italian striker Mario Balotelli’s effectiveness as a half-time substitute was minimal.
When presented with a fine chance to finally break his Premier League duck for Liverpool, Balotelli’s close-range shot was too near to David De Gea, who reacted brilliantly to tip it onto the bar.
The miss summed up the underwhelming nature of the £16m signing’s career at Anfield this season, so the latest rumour on the block should prick the ears of all parties.
Recently returned to his former post at Inter, Roberto Mancini is thought to have singled out the maverick striker he took to Manchester City as his principle January target for the Serie A strugglers.
This should come as welcome news indeed for under-pressure manager Brendan Rodgers, who has rocketed into 5/2 to be the next Premier League manager to leave, since going down at United.
Rodgers played Russian roulette when recruiting Balotelli in the summer having previously denied the Italian international would be arriving at Anfield.
That gamble, as with a number of his other summers signings, has failed to pay off and if Inter are willing to relieve Liverpool of Balotelli then the Northern Irishman may get a chance at redemption in the next transfer market.
There are already many rumours bubbling below the surface surrounding possible striking personnel to help solve Liverpool’s woes and none will raise more eyebrows than Fernando Torres.
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