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Fleetwood Town v Liverpool: Preseason How To Watch Live

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FLEETWOOD, Sporting Alert – Liverpool FC preseason schedule continues on Wednesday when they take on Fleetwood Town at Highbury Stadium in Lancashire.

You can watch live streaming coverage of the whole game exclusively live on LFCTV and LFCTV GO from 6.30pm BST. (1:30pm ET). Kick-off is set for 2:00pm ET. Follow live score at www.livescore.com.

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The Reds carved out a narrow 1-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park in their opening match last Friday, and Jurgen Klopp’s men will be hoping to build on that performance against League One side Fleetwood.

It will be the first meeting between the two sides at Highbury Stadium and the first clash since they played a pre-season friendly at Bloomfield Road in 2003.

Liverpool won that match 6-1.

Meanwhile, Klopp is expected to field another strong Liverpool side for the second preseason match on the road, with the likes of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Dejan Lovren, Loris Karius and Lucas, who is expected to captain Liverpool again, all set to feature from the start.

Striker Mario Balotelli returned to the Premier League side, but it’s highly unlikely that we will see the Italian in action on Wednesday.

Wednesday’s game will be the first of the preseason for Fleetwood, with manager Steven Pressley hoping to give all his players a runout.

“They are one of the greatest club’s in English football history and I am sure it will be a great experience for many of our players,” said Pressley.

“Liverpool are a club that I have great admiration for and they have a manager in place that I have studied in great depth and I believe our footballing philosophies are very similar.

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“My intention prior to the game is to give each player 45 minutes. We have a very detailed plan in place that all the players are ready to come the 6th August.”

In the meantime, the player picked most dangerous is Liverpool’s speedy winger Sadio Mane, who only recently completed a £30 million move to Anfield from Southampton.

The 24-year-old Senegalese international was impressive in his 45-minute debut against Tranmere Rovers and is likely to get another run out at Highbury Stadium.

This is the second of the nine scheduled preseason games for Liverpool as they prepare for what is expected to be an exciting 2016-17 campaign.

Remember you can watch live streaming coverage of the whole game exclusively live on LFCTV and LFCTV GO from 6.30pm BST. (1:30pm ET). Kick-off is set for 2:00pm ET. Follow live score at www.livescore.com

Liverpool Set To Give Mario Balotelli A Second Chance

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LIVERPOOL (Sporting Alert) — Liverpool are set to keep Mario Balotelli for another season after his agent Mino Raiola told Sky Sports the striker will not be leaving the Premier League side this summer.

Balotelli Struggling To Find A Future Club?

Balotelli moved to Anfield last summer on a £16 million transfer deal from Italian Serie A side AC Milan as a replacement for the departing Luis Suarez, but the former Manchester City striker had a disappointing campaign

Following his below par season, the Italy international, as expected, has been linked with a move away from the Reds, with Fiorentina among the clubs thought to have enquired about his availability.

He scored just one goal in 16 Premier League appearances with several pundits, managers and former players stating it was a mistake for Liverpool to take a chance on him.

Jamie Redknapp: Mario Balotelli Respects No One

However, his representative Raiola has dismissed reports about a possible departure – telling Sky Sporting News HQ in an exclusive interview that the 24-year-old will not be leaving Merseyside.

“We had talks with Liverpool and he will definitely stay,” Raiola told Sky Sports News.

Raiola added that Balotelli and his manager Brendan Rodgers were able to get through the struggling opening period of his move where the striker found it difficult to adapt to the Reds’ system and style of play.

“I think Mario did (adapt),” Raiola said. “I can’t talk about Brendan Rodgers, obviously that is something for Brendan, but I think Mario did.

“I have spoken at various times to the club and they were happy with his input and professionalism.

“Obviously we have to improve the performance but I am really confident that will happen this year.”

Steven Gerrard: Mario Balotelli Showed Lack of Respect

Nevertheless, Liverpool, who could lose wide-man Raheem Sterling, are still in the market for a striker, given the problems they faced last season with injuries and the dip in form in front of the net.

Meanwhile, it is understood that Rodgers is not looking to keep both Balotelli and Rickie Lambert in his squad for next season, with the latter reportedly set to be shipped to Aston Villa as part of a deal for Belgian forward Christian Benteke.

It is being reported also that Atletico Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic is on Rodgers’ shopping list, with the La Liga outfits said to be in the market for a new frontman.

The Reds face competition though from fellow English Premier League rivals Tottenham and Arsenal, according to Tuttomercatoweb.

Liverpool Want Benteke; Striker Wants To Play In Europe

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LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Liverpool are pushing to sign Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, but could miss out because they are not in the Champions League.

Benteke, according to the Sun, is ready to force a move away from the west Midlands club after helping them survived the relegation battle this season.

The Belgian international reportedly wants to play for a bigger club in Europe next season, as he doesn’t believe Aston Villa will get to that stage anytime soon.

Benteke recently revealed that he would sit down and discuss his future with manager Tim Sherwood, but it is understood he wants to wait until the final outcome of Aston Villa’s performance in the FA Cup final against Arsenal, before revealing his plans.

A win for Aston Villa over Arsenal in the FA Cup would see them qualifying for the Europa League, which would mean European football for Sherwood’s side.

Liverpool are starving for a natural goalscorer and the Sun reports that Brendan Rodgers is willing to double the strikers current wage deal to a reported £100,000 per week to tempt the player to make the switch to Anfield in the summer.

The forward, who would more than likely be a straight replacement for Mario Balotelli, who was a massive disappointment with the Reds this season, is apparently thinking about his options and has not ruled out a move to join Rodgers’ squad.

However, the potential swap could collapse at the first hurdle, as the Reds are no longer in the running to play Champions League football and that is one of the marks Benteke would like to tick-off on his current wish-list.

It is understood that Manchester United or Arsenal could beat their Reds rivals for the 24-year-old because they can offer him the same deal, in addition to a place in the Champions League.

Sherwood has recently said Aston Villa intentions are to do everything possible to keep Benteke, but added that he and the club would not stand in the player’s way if he wants to leave.

The targeted forward has scored 13 goals in the English Premier League this season and has a contract with the Villans until 2017.

Reports in the media outlets also revealed that Serie A side Roma and Bundesliga outfits Wolfsburg are also monitoring Benteke’s situation and could also make a summer approach.

Balotelli Struggling To Find A Future Club?

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LIVERPOOL (Sporting Alert) — Mario Balotelli is expected to be dumped by Liverpool in the summer, but the Italian future club remains a mystery.

Steven Gerrard: Mario Balotelli Showed Lack of Respect

Jamie Redknapp: Mario Balotelli Respects No One – 

Jamie Carragher: Mario Balotelli will leave Liverpool –

Balotelli joined Liverpool last summer on a £16 million dollar transfer fee from AC Milan as a possible replacement for Luis Suarez, but the move hasn’t really worked out.

The controversial Italian striker has been linked with a move back to his former clubs AC Milan and Inter Milan, but both clubs are reluctant to take on his troubles once again.

Sky Bet has Filippo Inzaghi’s side at 20/1 to sign the frontman this summer, while the Nerazzurri are at 10/1 to bring him back to the club.

There have been a few calls to give Balotelli another chance at Anfield, but it is understood that manager Brendan Rodgers and his staff have no intentions of keeping the forward, who has scored just once from 56 shots and has no assists in his English Premier League fixtures so far this season.

Fiorentina are the latest club to be linked with the former Manchester City player, as he is seen as a possible replacement for the injury-plagued Mario Gómez, who reportedly wants to leave the Serie A club in the summer transfer window.

A move to Fiorentina though, remains questionable, following his history with club fans, who are apparently not a big fan of the 24-year-old, who was racially abused and insulted by Viola supporters two-years-ago.

Serie A champions Juventus, at 25/1, are also said to be monitoring Balotelli’s situation at Liverpool, but they too are very far away from picking up the Reds striker.

This leaves Roma, at 5/1, as the early front-runners to land his signature in the summer.

It is still unclear as to whether the Italian giants will make a move for Balotelli though, following comments by Italy legend Francesco Totti, who in November labeled his fellow countryman as stubborn and a person that doesn’t like to take advice from anyone.

“I wouldn’t give advice to Balotelli,” Totti recalled. “Everyone tries to, but he doesn’t listen to anyone.”

Since joining Liverpool last summer, Balotelli has scored just four goals in 28 appearances and has not been a factor in the 16 English Premier League fixtures he’s played in.

Another forward also struggling to adapt to life at Anfield is fellow 2014 summer recruit Rickie Lambert.

Lambert, who moved to Liverpool from Southampton on a £4 million transfer fee, has tallied 710 minutes in the league this season, but has just two goals to his name.

But Rodgers is expected to keep the 33-year-old striker as he has no immediate desires to leave again.

Transfer Gossips, Football and Team News on Apr. 10

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LONDON (Sporting Alert) — EPL and world football reports, as well as transfer paper gossips from around the world. Among those in news are Ronaldo, Pedro, Kompany and Liverpool.

Liverpool target Pedro will wait until the end of the season to decide his future with Barcelona, reports coming out of Spain are claiming.

According to Marca, Pedro is eyeing a summer exit from Barcelona, but will wait until the end of the season to hand in his transfer request.

The 27-year-old has been struggling to secure a regular place at the Camp Nou this season, following the addition of Luis Suarez, who joined the Spanish leaders last summer.

It is understood that Pedro has been growing frustrated with his lack of playing time and has come to grip with the fact that head coach Luis Enrique prefers not to disturb his current attacking partnership of Lionel Messi, Suarez and Neymar.

The Spanish international has been a strong target of English Premier League side Liverpool and he admits that he has been considering the options.

He told BeIn Sports earlier this year: “I am going through a difficult period.

“It is clear that I am having a tough time to find a place in the team at the moment. I have had few chances to play this season.

“I will consider my options in the summer and will then talk with the club to discuss my future.”

Liverpool is desperate to add more attacking options to the side for next season, following its struggles to score goals this term.

England winger Raheem Sterling could also leave Anfield this summer and forward Mario Balotelli looks all set to be sold in that transfer market as well.

This means that Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is keen to add attackers and Pedro, who still has a year left on his current contract, has all the qualities the boss is looking for.

Meanwhile, Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is facing a fitness battle to be ready for the Manchester derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Kompany is doubtful for the game with a hamstring injury.

It is understood that his place is still under threat even if he passes the fitness test, with his Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini not convinced his skipper is in the right form to face their on form city rivals.

Manchester United forward Robin van Persie earlier this week declared himself fit for Sunday’s clash after recovering from the ankle injury he suffered in their 2-1 defeat at Swansea on February 21.

The former Arsenal captain missed the last six games with the injury and manager Louis van Gaal isn’t expecting to start the Dutchman in the clash.

In more English Premier League news, Chelsea have revealed that star forward Diego Costa will miss four games with the hamstring injury he is carrying.

This means that manager Jose Mourinho will continue to use Loic Remy to lead the attack with Didier Drogba attacking as the backup.

In other football news around the globe, Cristiano Ronaldo has had his yellow card for diving rescinded and will be available for Real Madrid this weekend against Eibar.

His Real Madrid teammate, Gareth Bale, however, is out of the clash with a strain, but the club expects the Wales forward to be fit for Tuesday’s Champions League battle with Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool v Manchester City EPL Preview and Channel Listings

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LIVERPOOL (Sporting Alert) — Manchester City will have energetic midfielder Yaya Toure back for Sunday’s highlighted English Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield.

Toure missed Tuesday night’s Champions League defeat against Barcelona because of suspension, but manager Manuel Pellegrini is set to recall the Ivory Coast star as he seeks to close the gap on leaders Chelsea, who will be inactive because of the Capital One Cup final.

TV Channel Listings:
March 1, 2015 @ 7:00am EST
NBC Sports Live Extra, NBCSN, LFCTV GO, Mun2, TSN1, TSN3, TSN5, TSN4, Sky Sports 1/HD

January recruit Wilfried Bony, who has made two appearances off the bench since his move from Swansea City, is also in line to make his first start and could be the strike partner for Sergio Agüero in a two-man attacking line.

For Liverpool, Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho will return to the starting lineup after he was rested for the Europa League defeat at Besiktas in midweek.

However, fellow midfielder and stand-in captain Jordan Henderson faces a late fitness test on his ankle to see if he is able to play any part in the game.

Striker Mario Balotelli is set to return to the substitutes bench, with Daniel Sturridge set to play through the middle in the attack.

Full-back Glen Johnson has recovered from illness and has been named in the squad.

“Coutinho will be fine. But the rest will be as it was really,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said.

“We’ll assess one or two of the boys that have been out, like Jordan Henderson. We’ll have a look at Jordan and see how he is.”

Looking For A Quick Bounce-Back

Pablo Zabaleta
Pablo Zabaleta wants Manchester City to end Liverpool jinx: Man City Linked

Both Manchester City and Liverpool are coming off defeats in Europe and will want to bounce back with a win in the domestic competition.

Victory for the defending champions at Anfield would see Pellegrini’s side moving within two points of Chelsea in the EPL standings.

Liverpool, meanwhile, could leap frog Southampton into fifth-place as their push for Champions League football continues.

“If we arrive in the top four this season, with everything we have been through, it will be a greater achievement than last year, absolutely,” said Rodgers.

“What we did last year was an incredible story, but we were basically only playing one game a week.

“This season we have been playing in Europe, with virtually a new team and a new system. We took time to adapt to a lot of new players coming in, particularly as many of them were young players.

“It wasn’t a group that stayed together and just made a couple of additions, like Chelsea, for us it was near enough a new team again.”

Rodgers is hoping that the pace of Sturridge and Raheem Sterling and the skills of Coutinho can disturb a Manchester City backline, which isn’t as stable with captain and leading center-back Vincent Kompany still struggling to find his best form this season.

Look for goals in this contest on Sunday, as the last half-a-dozen matchups between these two clubs have produced 20 goals.

According to the stats gurus, Manchester City have failed to secure a victory in any of their last 11 English Premier League trips to Anfield — losing seven and drawing four.

“These games are always very good games,” Rodgers told reporters. “Manchester City are a top-class side with some very good players.

“In my time here we’ve had some great games with them.

“We’re hoping we can take the confidence that we’ve had in recent months into this game and, with the quality of the players that we have, get a good result.”

Manchester City haven’t won at Anfield since May 2003 when they managed to seal a 2-1 comeback victory and full-back Pablo Zabaleta is hoping the Citizens can finally end that dismal run in this visit.

“It’s always been a tough place for us to go but hopefully we can get the three points we need and take advantage of Chelsea playing in the Capital One Cup final,” Zabaleta said.

“We have been strong away from home all season and we must continue that form until the end of the season.”

Jamie Redknapp: Mario Balotelli Respects No One

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LIVERPOOL (Sporting Alert) — Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp believes Mario Balotelli respects no one and can’t see him at Anfield past the end of this season.

Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli in Liverpool’s training session. Photo liverpoolfc
  1. Jamie Carragher: Mario Balotelli will leave Liverpool
  2. Steven Gerrard: Mario Balotelli Showed Lack of Respect

The controversial Italian forward was the main subject in Liverpool’s Europa League round of 32 first leg 1-0 victory over Besiktas on Thursday, and it wasn’t for a good reason, despite him scoring the winning goal from a spot kick.

Balotelli was involved in an argument with stand-in captain Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge over who should take Liverpool’s penalty kick and it turned into a media circus, which resulted in captain Steven Gerrard blasting the former Manchester City forward.

A number of Liverpool players and even club manager Brendan Rodgers have come out to defend Balotelli over his antics, but Redknapp thinks it’s only a matter of time before he leaves.

“The problem you have with Mario is I don’t think he has got a lot of respect for anybody,” Redknapp said on talkSPORT.

“He has worked with some of the best managers in (Cesare) Prandelli, (Jose) Mourinho, (Roberto) Mancini, everybody he has worked with has tried with this man but nobody seems to get to the bottom of it.

“The objective is to put the ball into the back of the net, thankfully that is what he did, but it is not nice to see players arguing like that on the field.

“He is an incredibly confident penalty taker and very good at it, but it is that lack of respect that he has.”

Redknapp added that the 24-year-old, who has netted just once in the English Premier League with his new team, has not justified his £16 million move from AC Milan in the summer, and thinks the forward is doing more harm than good in Rodgers’ squad.

“I don’t see long-term he will be at Anfield, I really don’t,” added Redknapp.

“He has scored a couple of goals in fairness, the goals against Tottenham and yesterday were important, but I am sure Brendan Rodgers is thinking he is more hassle than he is worth because he hasn’t produced the quality you would like and when you look at other players around him they don’t seem to enjoy his company on the field.

“It always seems to be about him, but it shouldn’t be. He is working at a great football club with lots of other good young players and I am sure they look around and wonder why he gets so much attention when he doesn’t deserve it.”

Liverpool travel to St. Mary’s to face Southampton in a rival battle for a top four spot on Sunday and Balotelli is expected to start the game on the bench once again.

Barton Says Henderson Not Capable Of Replacing Gerrard

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LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Outspoken QPR midfielder Joey Barton has come out to defend Mario Balotelli and launched an astonishing Twitter rant on Brendan Rodgers and Jordan Henderson over the recent penalty kick incident.

Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli hits the headlines again

Steven Gerrard: Mario Balotelli Showed Lack of Respect

Balotelli was heavily criticized by Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who says he showed “disrespect” by taking the penalty ahead of stand in skipper Henderson in Thursday night’s Europa League 1-0 victory over Besiktas.

Several pundits and media outlets agreed with Gerrard and said Balotelli showed a lack of respect after the public disagreement.

However, Barton, who has had his own share of run-ins with the former Manchester City forward, has come out to defend the controversial Italian striker.

“I’ve been critical of him at times,” the QPR player said on his official Twitter Account. “But it’s not Balotelli’s fault people over hyped the reality. Get off his case. He’s doing better.”

The 32-year-old also touched on who he thought should have taken the penalty kick, while adding that Gerrard and Liverpool boss Rodgers both know that Henderson is not a future Reds skipper.

“If Balotelli’s on the pitch and its him or Henderson on a penalty to save your life? Who you gonna let take it? #nobrainer.

“Can’t believe people getting on Balotelli. He is technically better at penalties than Henderson. He pulled rank. Scored. End of.”

He added: “Surprised Gerrard allowed himself to be drawn into the anti-Balotelli brigade’s crusade. He’s better than that.

“Contrary to some people beliefs Jordan Henderson will not now or will he ever be even in the same stratosphere as Steven Gerrard.

“Anyone who thinks he will replace Gerrard, short, medium or long term is deluded. Even Brendan [Rodgers] knows he’s bulls**ting when he says it.

“Going against managers orders? Do me a favour? Players aren’t robots. There is structure in place. If it gets broken to win a match? So…

“Someone somewhere trying to make Henderson, heir to Gerrard’s throne. It will end in tears. He isn’t and will never be capable. Not many are.”

Barton continued: “Heard about Henderson getting told by Rodgers to grab England captain’s armband if Rooney goes off. He tried Rooney rightly jogged him on.

“Wearing armbands. Trying to impersonate legends is admirable but will end in tears because it’s not genuine. Henderson should be himself.

“He is great at being himself. Much better than trying to be a Steven Gerrard clone. You can’t copy what SG had. Talent.

“Anyway, off to get the train to Hull now. Focus and big effort tomo. Big R’s following going up. Hopefully we repay them with 3 points.”

Steven Gerrard: Mario Balotelli Showed Lack of Respect

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LIVERPOOL (Sporting Alert) — Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard blasted forward Mario Balotelli for showing a lack of respect after taking the penalty which earned the Reds a victory over Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring

Gerrard, who was injured and did not play in the game, was replaced by midfielder Jordan Henderson as the skipper on the night and the veteran midfielder says Balotelli should have allowed the England international to take the spot kick.

The Italian put away the penalty kick to secure the 1-0 first-leg win, but this was only after an apparent argument with both Henderson and Daniel Sturridge over who should take the spot-kick.

“Jordan should have taken the penalty,” said Gerrard, who was working as a television pundit for ITV. “Rules are rules. It should have been Henderson. Mario has been a bit mischievous.

“Credit to Mario, he’s scored, but it’s not nice to see when footballers are arguing. I think Jordan has handled the situation very well.

“He can see that Mario really wanted to score. Jordan walked away at the right moment and handled his post-match interview very well.

“Jordan is the captain and Mario showed Jordan a bit of disrespect there, but he’s scored a very important goal.

“I think six or seven players would have wanted to take that penalty so if they all say they are taking it, what happens then? Rules are in place for a reason.”

Although he felt disappointed at not being able to take the penalty kick, Henderson praised Balotelli for keeping his nerves and scoring what he described as “a big goal.”

“It was a big goal, I thought we kept the ball well at times and we deservedly got the goal at the end. It was a big goal for us and especially keeping the clean sheet,” he told ITV in his interview.

“I wanted the penalty, Mario felt confident and he has taken big penalties before.

“Everyone wants to take them. I felt confident in Mario, he has taken big penalties before and he got the nod.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers reflected more on the final result over what happened on the pitch and he was delighted to keep Besiktas off the scoresheet.

“Besiktas came here with big confidence and I believe they have scored in every away game they have played this season,” he said on Liverpool’s official website at www.liverpoolfc.com.

“So it shows you the level of our defensive organisation that we kept a clean sheet. Simon (Mignolet) had a really good save in the first half, an outstanding save it was.

“On top of that, we created chances. We worked the ball much quicker in the second half. It sets us up perfectly, a great result for the second leg – a win and a clean sheet.”

Rodgers also offered big-time praises to Jordon Ibe, who won the penalty kick that Balotelli tucked away, following some skillful work in the area.

“You’ve seen the kid’s performances since he’s come back from his loan period and he is growing all the time,” Rodgers added.

“He’s played in big games and is getting good experience at 19. He is a real threat every time he has the ball.

“Not only that, but he works very, very hard for the team. He created the opportunity tonight for the penalty and it was an outstanding performance.”

Liverpool will continue its preparations for Sunday’s English Premier League trip to St Mary’s to face Southampton as the battle for a top four and Champions League places heats up.

Liverpool Need Higuain or Lavezzi, not Berahino – Phil Thompson

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LIVERPOOL (Sporting Alert) — Liverpool is being linked with a move for West Bromwich striker Saido Berahino, but Sky Sports pundit and former club captain Phil Thompson believes the club needs bigger names to solve its scoring problems.

The departure of Luis Suarez and injury to Daniel Sturridge have slowed the Reds’ free scoring attack from the past season, with summer recruits Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli struggling to adjust under the playing style of Brendan Rodgers.

It is believed that Liverpool is leading the race to sign frontman Berahino for £20m in the January transfer window, but Thompson doesn’t believe the England Under-21 international is the answer.

“I would not like to think that Berahino is their prime target as a striker,” Thompson said. “Yes Liverpool do need one with injuries to Daniel Sturridge and the difficulties that Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli have had at the football club.

“Rodgers likes his forwards to have pace. You see Raheem Sterling currently playing as an out-and-our centre forward, and he has done very well, but maybe he does not possess that finishing quality of Berahino.

“I think that Liverpool need someone who is a bit more established and who has played at a higher level like [Napoli’s] Gonzalo Higuain and [Paris Saint-Germain’s] Ezequiel Lavezzi, somebody of that ilk to come in following the news about Steven Gerrard’s departure.

“So for me, I would not go for Berahino, although I can see the advantages of having him, but I tell you what, he has to change his attitude.”

Liverpool, who finished second in the English Premier League, is currently sitting in 8th — 17 points behind leaders Chelsea and Manchester City.