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Balotelli: My Relationship With Rodgers Was a Disaster

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Italian striker, Mario Balotelli during the summer left Liverpool on a free transfer to Nice in France after a loan spell at AC Milan and has scored six goals already, helping the southern club to the top of French Ligue 1.

Although the striker was overlooked by the Italian national team selectors in the Europeans series of Russia 2018 qualifiers, he returned to Milan on Tuesday to watch Italy face Germany.

The striker known for his arrogance both on and off the pitch, has played for Inter Milan, Manchester City, Milan and Liverpool by the age of 26.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport about his coaches, and described his relationship with former manager at Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers as a disaster.

He said, “In truth, I had the biggest disappointment with Rodgers. I enjoyed myself with him in training but our relationship was a disaster.

“For me, the one most on the ball remains Mancini: fantastic, I owe him so much.

“In second place I put (Lucien) Favre (of Nice) with (Jose) Mourinho: the Portuguese is talented and motivated, it is a pity that we had a falling out.

“The worst? Not Klopp, I am not angry with him. If he has created a certain situation at Liverpool, maybe he should have had more patience with me.

The 26-year-old was signed by Liverpool after the sale of Luis Suarez in 2014, but managed only one League goal for Rodgers before loaned out to Milan the following summer.

Balotelli, who said he will always be available for Italy, is enjoying his time on the Cote d’Azur, with Nice currently topping Ligue 1.

“Now I am calm.
“There is less pressure, clearly. Some autographs, nothing more,” he added.

Rodgers Warns Balotelli: Leave Liverpool If You Want To Play

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The striker “knows his situation” according to the manager, who has no intention of playing him in the first team again as he hopes to force a move.

If Mario Balotelli wants to play senior football this season then he must find leave Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers has warned.

The striker has been told he is surplus to requirements at Anfield and Rodgers has insisted he will not change his mind after the controversial striker’s poor first season with Liverpool.

The unwanted trio of players – which also includes Fabio Borini and Jose Enrique – have been told to train with Liverpool’s youth team, prompting the defender to claim last week that Rodgers has “alienated” them.

But Rodgers shifted the blame right back on the players on Sunday, arguing Liverpool will not stand in the way of a transfer, telling reporters: “He [Balotelli] clearly knows his situation and where he’s at.

“There’s nothing to add. All of the players understand where they’re at.

“My job is to create the best possible environment for the team to succeed. That’s what I’ve always done. So I’m not going to speak about Mario when I can speak about another 25 players.

“I’ll always treat individuals with respect and try to make sure they understand the situation, where they’re at – it’s then their choice.

“If the manager and the club give a player a situation, if they really want to play, I’m sure they’ll find a solution. If they don’t, then at least they know where they stand.”