Mario Balotelli Risks Brendan Rodgers' Fury with Reported Snub to Liverpool Fans

Mario Balotelli failed to thank Liverpool fans for their travelling support after the Reds' 1-0  Champions League defeat to Basel on Wednesday night, an occurrence which could see the Italian striker receive a stern warning from Brendan Rodgers.

The Liverpool boss ordered his team to show their appreciation, but Balotelli opted to sulk his way down the tunnel after having a late goal correctly ruled out for offside. Rodgers kept his cool after the match when asked about the player's reaction. 

"Mario worked hard, he knows his job is to create and to get into the area," said Rodgers, reported by Dominic King of the Daily Mail. "We are working hard on it. I'm not sure if he went back out to say thanks to the fans as I came straight in."

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King notes this is the second time Balotelli has opted against applauding the Liverpool support, a decision which won't go unnoticed with the fans.

He was poor once again during the loss, in which his play through the centre continued to slow Liverpool's attacking haste. Rodgers got his tactics wrong—Lazar Markovic appeared uncomfortable on the right, Jordan Henderson was too deep and Balotelli needed a strike partner—but the former Milan forward once again stood out with his slumped shoulders and accusing scowl.

The 24-year-old continues to drop outside the area in order to pick up the ball and shoot from distance. He is failing to bring others into the match and completed just 65 percent of his passes in Switzerland, recorded by WhoScored.com.

He committed two fouls without making a successful tackle and failed to offer any threat inside the opposition's box, noted by Squawka:

Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher is worried by the player. He notes a lack of team ethic from Balotelli, per Chris Waugh of the Daily Mail:

"

I think we need to see a lot more. I can't hide the way I feel about him. When he was at (Manchester) City I wasn't a fan. He's got one goal (so far this campaign). He's away in Europe tonight (against Basel) and playing as a lone striker.

You have got to sacrifice yourself for the team tonight - play for the team and work hard. If there's one word that I'd never use to sum Balotelli up is sacrifice.

"

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Barring one smart finish against lowly Ludogorets, Balotelli hasn't impressed since joining the club. Rodgers has given him a major opportunity to do so in the absence of Daniel Sturridge, but the player's lack of energy is constantly noticeable, especially when his English strike partner is out of the team.

Balotelli will score goals, Liverpool are too good for that not to happen, but he is playing for himself right now. One of the side's great achievements last season was that they worked for each other.

Players would support their team-mates with runs, pass and move quickly to get away from danger and generally follow the tempo set by Sturridge and Luis Suarez up front. The team as a whole is lacking this kind of incision right now. 

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Luckily, Sturridge could return for Liverpool's next game with West Brom, per BBC Sport. The Merseyside club were unable to secure a Premier League win in any of their three matches through September and have suffered three defeats in six games.  The Baggies won at Tottenham and then beat Burnley last time out, but should pose simple opposition for Rodgers' men to overcome.

Balotelli's performances will be key. Beyond his ability to score, the notorious striker's most important contribution will be his ability to bring the likes of Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana into profitable attacking areas. He is isolated right now, something that won't be aided by his unwillingness to interact with supporters who are giving him every chance to succeed.