Liverpool
[Photo] Liverpool Striker Posts Cryptic Message On Instagram After Reds Win
Controversial striker Mario Balotelli posted a cryptic message aimed at Brendan Rodgers on Instagram last night after Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Burnley.
Controversial striker Mario Balotelli posted a cryptic message on Instagram last night after Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Burnley.
The Italian hitman was an unused substitute and had to watch on as Rickie Lambert, Kolo Toure and Glen Johnson were given run-outs from the bench ahead of him as Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge scored the goals to help the Reds secure a comfortable win at Anfield.
However, shortly after the game, Balotelli took to Instagram to upload a message saying ‘someone doesn’t like me’ before suggesting the mystery person doesn’t think he’s a team player.
After posting a picture of the team celebrating last night, Balotelli wrote:
Someone doesn’t Like me But differently of what they say about me im a team player and im so proud of my team,of this win and of these fans! let’s keep going bravi ragazzi!!! YNWA !!!
As the 23-year-old failed to name the person in question, we can only speculate, but the obvious answer is he’s referring to boss Brendan Rodgers.
The Northern Irishman was recently critical of his summer signing, saying he needs to be a team player on the pitch and criticised Balotelli for his work rate after he scored a late winning penalty against Besiktas last month.
When asked if he was happy with Balotelli’s performance after the game, Rodgers told reporters:
“No, not really, no.
“We need to ensure that whatever level of the game we are playing at we have everyone working as a team and once we got the penalty he stopped working. So he needs to improve on that facet of his game to play in his position, rather than standing on the side of the football field.
“He has contributed against Besiktas, he has got the penalty and scored the goal but that is what he is paid to do. He needs to keep that efficiency in his game and show that he can affect the team whether he is asked to play from the bench or from the start. In a different country and a different style of football that goal would be all that matters but in this team there is more to it than that.”
Balotelli’s reference to ‘I’m a team player’ in his Instagram post appears to be in response to Rodgers’ criticism, but we can not know that for certain.
One thing that is sure, is that the strikers cryptic message is only going to fuel speculation that he could be set to leave Anfield this summer after a hugely disappointing first season that’s seen him score just one Premier League goal.
Here’s Balotelli’s Instagram post:
