Many believe that a £16m price tag for a 24 year old proven goal scorer with a good amount of premier league experience is a bargain in today’s overinflated transfer market. Others suggest the price tag is that low for a reason and that the baggage he has carried on his transfer travels is a gamble Rodgers shouldn’t be taking.
For me, if there is one manager who will get the best from him, It’s Rodgers. In his tenure at Liverpool he has shown that he has the ability to find the brilliance in players whom many have written off too soon; Daniel Sturridge, Phillipe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson being prime examples. With an experienced head like Steven Gerrard by his side and the backing of the Anfield faithful, Mario has all the ingredients needed to be a success. It’s now just down to him to work hard and prove the doubters wrong.
I expect to see Ballotelli start Sunday’s fixture against Tottenham. Daniel Sturridge has looked isolated in the first two games of the season and despite the winner against Southampton, to me it’s clear that he is suffering from the departure of Luis Suarez. Whilst Raheem Sterling appears to have carried last season’s excellent form into the early stages of this one, Sturridge and the midfield need other options and Ballotelli can provide the striking support needed to give the England number 9 more time, space and alternatives.
Possible Line Up –
Phillipe Coutinho has had a less impressive start to the new campaign and could make way for the Italian. Sturridge and Ballotelli leading the attack, supported in behind by Sterling who would have a license to move from left to right and make runs in behind the Tottenham defence. Gerrard, Henderson and Allen would make up the central midfield 3 and a defence from right to left of Maquillo, Skrtel, Lovren and Moreno, who impressed on his debut against City despite the one obvious error. The young Spanish full backs providing width and pace when attacking.
Lazar Markovic also showed signs of promise in his short appearance on Monday night. He looked comfortable on the ball and linked well with Moreno and will provide a good option from the bench. Emre Can less so, but it’s still early days and there’ll not be many tougher fixtures this season to make a debut in.
Sunday’s trip to Spurs is another big test. Having taken 6 points from a possible 6, conceding none and scoring five, albeit against West Ham and QPR. Pochettino appears to have already got the North London club beginning to adopt his high pressing, attacking brand of football which earned him so many admirers last season. Whilst not season defining, 3 points at White Hart Lane will give us 6 points from our first 3 games, which is probably marginally better than most would have expected when you consider that includes a trip to the champions.
How difficult the season will prove to be will become more apparent following Thursday’s Champions’ League group stage draw where we face the exciting prospect of a possible return to one of the power houses of Europe in Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Barcelona (It’ll definitely be Barca, you just know it!!).
The most testing times will come when the frequency of games increases. Mid-week and weekend games come thick and fast with little time for rest and recovery, injuries mount up and fatigue sets in.
Whilst we might not hit the heady heights of last season, we can see that a young hungry team is being assembled at Liverpool. The current squad and transfer activity are positive signs that the owners and manager are looking to continue the exciting brand of football, sign talented young prospects and rebuild the club on a foundation of sustainable growth which will hopefully bring success back to Anfield.
Follow Lewis on Twitter @LMelisi