Jamie Carragher Talks Mario Balotelli, Liverpool vs. Manchester United, More

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has described Mario Balotelli as the club's worst signing during his time at the club and said he "prays" a Chinese club will buy him.

According to Anthony Hay of the MailOnline, in a question-and-answer session with Daily Mail readers on Tuesday, Carragher said:

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I can't believe we signed Mario Balotelli! The thing with Balotelli is everyone always says it's the off-the-field antics, but I wouldn't care if he was doing it on the pitch. People tell me he's got talent but I can't remember him having a good game. I'm praying with all the money in the Chinese Super League that someone is going to buy him after his loan. I don't think anyone in the Premier League will take him. He has to be No. 1 [worst signing] with [Alberto] Aquilani and [El Hadji] Diouf.

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Balotelli was brought in under Brendan Rodgers following the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona, but the Italian mustered just four goals in 28 appearances for the Reds with just one coming in the Premier League.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

The 25-year-old is currently on loan at AC Milan but has struggled with form and fitness, scoring three times in 15 outings. 

Liverpool are set to face bitter rivals Manchester United on Thursday in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round-of-16 tie—the first time they've met in European competition—and Carragher believes it will be a tight contest. He said:

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There’s very little between the two teams. I think Liverpool were far superior at Anfield and should have won. My one worry is Louis van Gaal’s record against Liverpool and in big games. Fans have been criticising him but he seems to do the job in big games. My worry is Van Gaal rather than the opposing players.

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He also rued the fact the meeting will not be taking place in UEFA's elite competition:

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It’s still the biggest game because they are the two biggest names in English football. It’s sad that they are both in the Europa League and it’s not a Champions League game. It’s like us watching a Barcelona vs Real Madrid game in the Europa League, it just wouldn’t feel right. It’s a huge game and hopefully it’s a fixture that is deciding titles and European Cups in the next few years. If Liverpool can take a lead, even if it’s 2-1 and they score an away goal, I would bite your hand off.

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Football writer Liam Canning believes the tie will have more of a Champions League flavour to it, though:

The former defender took the time to praise Reds boss Jurgen Klopp:

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I think Liverpool have got a great manager. If you ask most people who they would rather have out of Klopp and Antonio Conte, who will probably go to Chelsea, the majority will say Klopp. Credit to the club for bringing a manager of that stature to Liverpool. I think for the most part he has shown that, hopefully he can do it on the next two Thursday nights.

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The German replaced Rodgers earlier in the season and guided Liverpool to the Capital One Cup final, which they lost on penalties to Manchester City.

Football journalist Rafael Hernandez believes there is plenty of room for optimism at Anfield under Klopp, particularly when he is able to shape the squad to his own liking:

As to whether Carragher has considered following Sky Sports colleague Gary Neville into a coaching or managerial job, the 38-year-old said he was open to the idea, but it would need to be a tempting position to pry him away from his current role as a pundit. He said:

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It's something I think about every week. Not in terms of being desperate to do it. Just the intrigue of what it would be like and would I be given an opportunity in the future. Is there a job out there which would stop me from writing for the Daily Mail or appearing on Sky Sports as I enjoy both jobs? It would have to be some job as I would have to change my lifestyle.

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As Neville has shown thus far in taking over at Valencia—into a very difficult situation with the club struggling long before his arrival, admittedly—punditry skills and extensive experience as a player do not necessarily translate into being a successful manager.

Carragher further revealed he was offered a coaching position by Rodgers only for the manager to promote one of the coaches from the Reds academy.

Having played over 700 games for the Reds in his one-club career, it wouldn't be a surprise if Carragher accepted a role at Liverpool should one ever be made available again.