Mario Balotelli Won't Be Dropped for Real Madrid, Reveals Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has revealed he won't drop Mario Balotelli for Wednesday's Champions League fixture with Real Madrid, a night in which the manager wants his players to grab "legendary status."

Balotelli has performed poorly during the early stages of his Liverpool career—scoring just once in eight matches, per WhoScored.com—highlighted by his uninterested display during Sunday's narrow victory over Queens Park Rangers.

Rodgers expects the Italian to step up when Los Blancos arrive, however. He responded defiantly when asked whether he needs to bench the misfiring striker, per David Maddock of the Mirror:

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No, no. I don't. It’s a game he is keen to perform in. He scored a terrific goal in the last Champions League game here so he will be really motivated to perform well. He has got experience of performing in the big, big games and he will take that into this game.

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The Liverpool boss spoke further in depth about the player, as noted in 101 Great Goals' video below:

Madrid arrive with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez ready to make an impression. For Liverpool, meanwhile, Daniel Sturridge's latest injury is a major blow—his movement and speed could have significantly tested Los Blancos' defence—meaning much of the attacking onus will fall on Balotelli.

Although his lack of goals is worrying, the 24-year-old would be given leeway if he at least contributed across the pitch. For instance, Radamel Falcao has only scored one in 257 minutes of football for Manchester United, per WhoScored. This isn't a particularly impressive return, but his two assists and hardworking play has seen his total overlooked in favour of the bigger picture.

Balotelli has posted a handful of sloppy performances, which have emphasised his standing as an individual in Rodgers' team.

Liverpool reached second in the Premier League last season through fast-paced, free-flowing attacking play. Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez would interchange seamlessly, while the Reds became renowned for blowing teams away in the opening exchanges.

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This is non-existent now Suarez resides in Barcelona and Balotelli flits between a lack of commitment and overexcitement in front of goal. Wayne Veysey of Goal.com believes this is why Balotelli should be dropped:

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged Balotelli's problems ahead of kick-off, but believes Madrid cannot take him lightly, per Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC:

Liverpool certainly need the enigmatic striker to stand up. A loss will see Madrid move six points clear heading into the return tie at the Bernabeu. Should Basel rack up six points against Ludogorets across the next two matches—an entirely possible feat—Rodgers' side will suddenly need to win at least two of their final three group games to progress.

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Balotelli is an experienced Champions League player. He should be able to take responsibility in these circumstances, particularly when many of his team-mates are yet to shine at this level. A match-defining goal against Madrid could provide both him and Liverpool with the confidence needed to push on across all fronts.

Right now, his willingness to repeatedly shoot from distance only adds to the feeling he isn't willing to make an impression through energetic work. By firing the ball at goal he is trying to kid supporters into thinking he is ambitious or positively influencing play. They won't be fooled. As we saw against Basel, Balotelli's lack of running was mightily clear, as noted by Squawka:

Anything other than a loss should be regarded as an impressive result for Liverpool. Rodgers will be hoping his faith in Balotelli finally pays off and that the former AC Milan striker is able to put in a performance akin to his dismantling of Germany at Euro 2012.

He can be a big-game player, there's no doubt about it, but it's the myriad poor performances in between that are likely to define Balotelli's Liverpool career.

Fans will be hankering for an ambitious display and a moment of magic from the player, but the team's result comes before individual gratification. Should Balotelli fail to impress, Rodgers is likely to remember this next time out.