Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Blasted, Paul Ince Urges Instant Sale

Brendan Rodgers and his Liverpool team have come in for a barrage of condemnation in the wake of their 3-0 defeat to Manchester United, and former midfielder Paul Ince has become the latest former player to stick the boot in, singling out Mario Balotelli for criticism.

Ince, who made 81 appearances for the Reds in a two-year stint at Anfield, told talkSPORT (h/t Jack Wilson of the Daily Star) that signing the player was a massive risk which hasn’t and won't pay off. He went on to boldly claim that the sooner the club cashes in on the former Milan man, the better:

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It seems like people are frightened to say something to him in case he goes the other way.

They keep saying what a great, talented player he is but I’m yet to see it.

I think the quicker Brendan Rodgers sees it and can get rid of him the better, to be honest, and the better it will be for everyone because there is a lack of spirit in that Liverpool side.

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Balotelli was playing in his first game since returning from injury at Old Trafford and was introduced at the half with the Reds 2-0 down.

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It’s been a very tough start to life in England for the former Manchester City striker, and he’s yet to find the back of the net for the Reds in the Premier League while donning the iconic red jersey.

With that being said, Balotelli has certainly been made into something of a scapegoat for Liverpool’s recent woes. While Ince also claimed Balotelli “plays for himself,” there was an undeniable improvement against the Red Devils when he entered the fray, as Liverpool created a host of chances that he and others subsequently wasted.

Sports writer Jonas Giaever thinks Balotelli spruced up the Liverpool front line:

This goes beyond one game, of course. Balotelli has yet to show his best form for Liverpool, and if he is going to make an impression on Merseyside, you suspect he’s going to have to do so very quickly. Especially with the January window fast approaching.

Rodgers’ comments in his post-match press conference may have worried the 24-year-old, as he refused to rule out the prospect of a midseason sale, per Daniel Taylor of The Guardian:

There are bigger issues with this team than Balotelli, though. The goalkeeping situation is unclear, the defence remains a mess, the midfield lacks balance, and the strikers—the Italian included—simply aren’t doing enough to get into dangerous positions or showcasing the requisite killer instinct when they do. 

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Ultimately, the buck stops with the manager. He is the one who has sanctioned these player purchases and the man who works with the squad on a day-to-day basis. While Ince may have been a little harsh in his scathing assessment of Balotelli, the former midfielder is spot on about the lack of spirit.

With Rickie Lambert having performed to a decent standard in recent weeks, it remains to be seen whether Balotelli will be afforded another chance to prove his worth before the January window rolls around. With massive games against Bournemouth and Arsenal looming large, the Reds’ No. 45 will surely get some kind of opportunity.

A big goal for Balotelli could do plenty to lift some of the gloom that has engulfed Anfield in recent weeks, but to put that gloom squarely on the forward's shoulders is very harsh indeed. It will be a collective effort if Liverpool are to haul themselves back up the Premier League table, and there are plenty associated with the club who need to up their game to ensure that happens.