Brendan Rodgers: Liverpool Is A Team, ‘Not The Mario Balotelli Show’

Mario Balotelli dominates headlines wherever he goes, and that was no different earlier this week when the Italian striker completed a transfer to Liverpool from AC Milan.

However, Reds manager Brendan Rodgers doesn’t believe Balotelli will be a distraction.

“This is not the Mario Balotelli show,” Rodgers said Friday, via Liverpool Echo. “He’s a good player, and a talented player, but he has a lot of work to do here.

“We’ve got a number of top-class players. The star of this team will always be the team.

“There’s no more pressure on him than on the rest of the team. He’s a member of this team. He’s top quality, there’s no doubt about that, a class act with wonderful football qualities.”

Balotelli is expected to make his debut in Sunday’s Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

The 24-year-old striker was brought to Anfield to boost Liverpool’s attack, which was weakened when Luis Suarez  — who led the Premier League in goals scored last season — was sold to Barcelona earlier in the summer. Balotelli scored 14 goals and added six assists in 25 Serie A games for AC Milan during the 2013-14 campaign. He also scored twice in six UEFA Champions League matches.

Balotelli might not be the only summer signing to debut for Liverpool on Sunday. Midfielder Adam Lallana also could make an appearance for Rodgers’ side.