Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Exit Expected, Divock Origi Deal Urged

Ex-Liverpool stars Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp have questioned whether Mario Balotelli will remain at Anfield next season, with the former predicting the Italian will soon be sold.

Balotelli posted yet another poor performance during the Reds' 3-0 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. He stirred controversy by opting to swap shirts with Portuguese centre-back Pepe before heading down the tunnel at half-time, moments before being substituted by Brendan Rodgers.

In fact, coverage in the Liverpool Echo demands an apology from the player, as tweeted by the Mail Online:

Both Carragher and Redknapp ripped into Balotelli during Sky Sports' coverage of the match. Carragher confirmed his previous idea of Balotelli hasn't changed and that he doesn't believe he will last longer than a season on Merseyside, as reported by Ben Nagle of the Mail Online: "I can't change the way I feel about Balotelli, and that is nothing to do with what he's done in a Liverpool shirt. It's what he's done at Manchester City and AC Milan. Do I think he's going to be here long-term? No, I'd be surprised to see him here next season if I'm being honest."

Jon Super/Associated Press

Redknapp didn't hold back when adding to the criticism of a player who has scored one goal in 10 appearances for the Reds, per Nagle: "I don't blame Mario Balotelli, I blame Brendan Rodgers for bringing him here. How he thought he could turn around a player who (Jose) Mourinho, (Roberto) Mancini and (Cesare) Prandelli have all washed their hands of. There’s a reason when you go to the supermarket and something is half price."

The former Liverpool midfielder continued, saying, "Why on earth they went for him I'll never know. They should've just left him alone. The fact that they went and got him, it just doesn’t make any sense to me."

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Carragher believes Balotelli "was a panic" buy, designed to make up for Fabio Borini's potential move to Sunderland, which never materialised.

He suggests Liverpool need more attacking talent because Daniel Sturridge has "got massive injury problems – he always has and he always will," per Nagle. "We needed someone. Who was available? Who knows who Brendan Rodgers and his scouting staff went for but they left it too late."

That someone could be Divock Origi, Liverpool's summer signing who currently remains on loan with Lille. Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express believes Rodgers "will beg" the French side to let him head to Anfield early in January, but Lille director Jean-Michel Vandamme has indicated this will be "impossible," as reported by the Daily Mail's Jack Bezants.

Football writer Jonathan Wilson rates Origi alongside Raheem Sterling as one of the continent's best teenage talents, as told to B/R UK's Ryan Bailey:

Ex-Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes Rodgers should go all-out to secure Origi's early arrival:

Owen indicates it isn't fair to place all of the blame for Liverpool's poor form on Balotelli but suggests the club's internal view of the player could be doomed:

Origi certainly offers a more Rodgers-styled output than Balotelli. The Belgian has a hardworking attitude and is willing to put the team first, as highlighted with an excellent run of displays this season. His five goals in 11 matches, as recorded by WhoScored.com, have underlined a smart finisher who possesses real confidence at this early stage of his career.

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

We saw the 19-year-old's fearless attitude at the World Cup. He is able to play on either flank and through the middle, another attribute which makes him more suitable to Rodgers' side than Balotelli.

The Northern Irish manager depends on his players being able to fulfil multiple roles—highlighted by Sterling's move toward the striker position against Madrid—not those who remain motionless during important phases of play.

While it would be ambitious to suggest Origi could change the fortunes of the team—Liverpool have far deeper problems than just Balotelli—he would undoubtedly offer a less frustrating outlet in Sturridge's absence. Origi faces Everton in the Europa League on Thursday, a match which could see the forward endear himself to the Liverpool faithful before he even heads to Merseyside.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Criticism from Carragher and Redknapp is justified, particularly as Rodgers "categorically" stated he wouldn't sign Balotelli before doing so.

One has to wonder how much input the manager had in landing the striker, particularly because Balotelli is an uncharacteristic acquisition for a boss who prioritises energy and efficiency above all. It may not have been Rodgers' choice to sign him, but if Balotelli is to leave, the manager will need to make his opinion well known to the board. 

At this stage, Rodgers will likely be rueing his inability to land Origi's services right away. Big improvements need to be made at Liverpool, especially if Balotelli is to finally deliver on his potential.