Mario Balotelli

MariNO Balotelli

"They tried to take him back to Italy but we said no, no, no" - Amy Winehouse, kind of. When he signed for the Reds in the summer of 2014 it was set up for the Italian striker to live up to his nickname, Super Mario. However this hasn't been the case as of yet, but...

Rating Liverpool’s Summer Signings, Halfway Through 1st Season

The 2014 summer transfer window was certainly an eventful one. If Luis Suarez was not biting an Italian in Brazil, Mario Balotelli was being welcomed into Melwood by ice buckets of all sorts. Whilst the former opted to exit the club due to aggravating back problems due to continuously carrying the club in the 2013-14 season, the...

Father Figure Gone

Mario Balotelli, in my mind, has an acute case of Peter Pan syndrome. Why else would he behave like an immature teenager with his somewhat funny antics when not playing football in front of millions? Much has been written about his potential to be a world class player ever since he broke into the...

Roberto Firmino – The Bundesliga’s Brazilian Star | AI’s Xmas Wish List

Hoffenheim’s Brazilian attacker Roberto Firmino was spared the embarrassment of his country’s World Cup nightmare, as Luiz Felipe Scolari chose to ignore the then 22-year-old’s impressive form for his club. As a result he’s remained relatively under the radar, but not for much longer. Scolari’s successor, Dunga, had no hesitation in calling up the young...

“Improving Game By Game” – Liverpool vs Sunderland Match Preview

"Improving Game by Game" As I begin to write my preview on the afternoon of the 4th of December, I reminisce back a year ago, where Norwich visited Anfield to face a vibrant and in-form Liverpool side. Four phenomenal strikes from ex-red Luis Suarez meant the Reds ran out 5-1 winners that day. Whilst we have yet to...

Brendan Rodgers – Wounded and Cornered?

I like big buts and I also lie. There is no point ignoring it anymore, it has to be said: Brendan Rodgers is putting his own spin on the Sir Mix-A-Lot song. “The ability to attract top players is great. It’s a huge indication of the progress of the club, a really good symbol of where...

Brendan Rodgers: At The Crossroads?

As I am writing this piece, I admit there is a surge of anger within me, and that it is not advisable to write under such duress. But I also want to make sure that I do not lose the perspective, so I am going against the grain and penning this down. Liverpool now officially...

The Curious Case of Mario Balotelli

 “If it was my choice, I would always go with two strikers. It’s the way I like to play, but Brendan asked me to play as the first striker.” These are the words of Mr. Mario himself, back in October. Balotelli has been heavily criticised in recent months by practically everyone in football. Everyone has...

The Case for the Liverpool Defence Part 2: ‘Midfield and Beyond’

In Part I, I looked at the individual members of the back ‘5’ (including the GK), and the most likely rotational or still to return individuals, each with their own pluses and minuses. In Part II, I want to look at the midfield options and striker responsibilities relative to defence, the overall strategy and...

Value For Money Signings – Premier League Infographic

Is it possible to buy success in the Premier League? TonyBet has collected the data from each transfer window over the past five seasons - only including ever-present clubs - trying to find the team with the best (and worst) value for money, by comparing the average net spend with their average finishing position in...