Mario Balotelli is set for another start against Hull later today.
Liverpool’s game against Real Madrid in midweek was seen by many as Mario Balotelli’s last chance, and given the striker’s dreadful performance, it seemed safe to assume it would be Rickie Lambert starting for the Reds from now on.
But according to the Daily Mail, Brendan Rodgers is going to persist with the Italian striker, and he will start against Hull City later today.
Balotelli has scored just one goal in the ten matches he’s played since his move from Milan in the summer. He was also substituted at half time against Madrid, with Rodgers preferring to play without a striker than continue with Balotelli’s static presence up front.
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Liverpool also have problems at the other end of the pitch. They have conceded 19 goals in 12 matches this season, and kept only one clean sheet since March. While Rodgers’ side has always been built on attacking flair rather than defensive solidity, those statistics are still damning.
But Rodgers dismissed the idea that the club should sign a defensive coach, and insisted that the club’s defensive problems were down to a lack of coaching time rather than coaching quality.
If Balotelli does start, he will be desperate to break his Premier League duck against Hull City, who have kept two clean sheets this season.