Liverpool are unlikely to finish in the top four this season because Mario Balotelli isn’t good enough and Brendan Rodgers changes the team too often, according to former Manchester United defender Paul Parker.
The Reds suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend – their second Premier League loss in four games so far this season – after Gabriel Agbonlahor’s early goal handed Paul Lambert’s men all three points at Anfield.
After watching the game, Parker believes that Reds boss Rodgers has to take the blame for his side’s defensive frailties, and insisted that Liverpool will be replaced by United in the top four this term.
‘I do feel they [Liverpool] are the side that will drop out [of the top four] to allow United to reclaim their spot in the Champions League next season,’ Parker wrote in his Eurosport blog.
‘I look at Brendan Rodgers and feel he is always liable to get the big decisions wrong at crucial times. He tweaks too much for me and it doesn’t look like he has solved Liverpool’s defensive problems either.
‘Brendan Rodgers’ plan to rest people is nice in theory, but I’m sorry, when you have a 19-year-old who is playing as well as [Raheem] Sterling is at the moment, you do not leave him on the bench.’
Parker also criticised Rodgers’ £16million summer signing Balotelli for his performance against Villa – saying that the Italy striker is not the right type of player for the club.
‘Saturday was a day for Mario Balotelli to step up and deliver but he killed Liverpool with his lack of urgency,’ Parker said.
‘Last season, Liverpool bombarded teams in the opening 20 minutes, running in behind and stretching teams; they terrified opponents with their pace. But Balotelli doesn’t run, he doesn’t get in behind defences, he wants the ball to feet and to twist and turn.
‘People say Balotelli can hold it up – but if you want that type of player then bring back Martin Chivers or Peter Osgood or big Bob Latchford.
‘That’s not football today, you need to threaten, but the only thing Balotelli threatens is a riot.’
Source: Metro UK
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