Brendan Rodgers has joked that Mario Balotelli will bring ‘trouble’ to Liverpool, but asserts that in reality, this is the player’s last chance.
The 24-year-old has ended a mixed 18-month spell with Milan to join the Reds for €20m this week, with scrutiny already on how he will or will not fit into his new team’s dressing room.
Asked what he would bring to Anfield, his new manager was clear, if also not entirely serious to begin with.
Brendan Rodgers has joked that Mario Balotelli will bring ‘trouble’ to Liverpool, but asserts that in reality, this is the player’s last chance.
The 24-year-old has ended a mixed 18-month spell with Milan to join the Reds for €20m this week, with scrutiny already on how he will or will not fit into his new team’s dressing room.
Asked what he would bring to Anfield, his new manager was clear, if also not entirely serious to begin with.
“Trouble,” joked Rodgers initially in talking to Sky Sports this week, and later reported by ESPN.
“Look at the talent. He's at a stage in his career where this is his chance.
“I’ve worked with those types of players all my life in youth coaching where I've never had the finished article.
“He needs to be consistent and if he can do that he will be one hell of a player. Most players I like to look in their eye and see honesty and humility.
“We went three-and-a-half hours talking it through. He's at a massive club. We can help him improve his game – he's a very bright boy and he knows this is his last chance.
“I’m excited to work with him and improve him as a footballer as well as a person.”
It was put to Rodgers that Balotelli does represent a risk, all the same.
“There is no doubt there is a risk with it, but it's a calculated risk. I have been able to assess what we have got as a team and the type of characters we have got. It is because of that environment that leads me to bring him in.
“I’ve been very impressed by the man himself because he is very honest. He knows his flaws and he is looking for someone to help him with it. He has already sampled how we work as a team and a club. Of course it was a risk. We are not going to say it isn't. He is a big talent.
“Fitting into the dressing room? I don't have any concerns at all. It's that culture that has allowed me to have confidence that if he comes in it won't be affected.
“I'm hoping that with the environment and culture we have created at this club, that he will embrace that and he will benefit from it.
“All my life I have given players an opportunity and this is a guy who when I looked in his eye I could tell. He is 24 years of age and he has become a father now. He knows he has a responsibility, not only for himself, but for this great club.
“We will treat him no different to anyone else. There is a lot of hype that goes around Mario, but for us he is part of our team and we are looking to work and develop that side of him.
“He is clearly a world-class talent. It has obviously been difficult for him at other clubs, but I have read people saying this is a make or break decision for me. I have done this all my life, I've taken players that people have wrote off and they have performed well.
“With Mario, the market was very limited with what we could bring in. The business was very good for us and we will see if it works. If not, at least we have tried.”