Mario Balotelli will not start for Liverpool against West Brom later today…
Liverpool have dropped striker Mario Balotelli from their starting line-up, with Rickie Lambert set to replace the Italian in the team for this afternoon’s game against West Brom.
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Reports in the Daily Express confirm that the former Southampton forward will be handed his first Premier League start for Brendan Rodgers’ side later today, while the struggling Italian will be left on the bench.
The Reds are seeking their first league victory since August against the improving Baggies, who thrashed Burnley 4-0 in their last outing.
Accordingly, Rodgers will choose to leave out Balotelli, who has started five of the last six matches, but has come under scrutiny after managing just one goal since his £16m move from AC Milan.
The source adds that Rodgers has warned Liverpool may endure more pain before rediscovering a winning habit and admitted they are unrecognisable from last season.
“It must be so difficult for the supporters at the moment to see a team that for 18 months has been so fluent and dynamic,” said Rodgers. “Now they probably look and see a team with maybe no resemblance to that in many ways.”
Meanwhile Daniel Sturridge, who signed a new five year contract yesterday, is set to be missing again due to a thigh problem.
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