Images via Reuters
A former Liverpool striker revealed back in 2016 that he had a miserable time at Anfield, describing his move to the Merseyside club as the 'worst decision' of his life.
For many players, signing for the Reds is the pinnacle of their career. Few get to play for such a storied club that consistently competes for major honours and boasts a uniquely passionate fanbase. Liverpool have six Champions League titles to their name, pay their players some of the most lucrative salaries in the sport and play in front of a boisterous Anfield crowd every week.
However, for the eccentric Mario Balotelli, his two-year stint plying his trade for the north-west outfit was one of the worst periods of his career. The Italian outlined the issues he had on Merseyside in a stunning 2016 interview, in which he detailed his problems with managers Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp.
Mario Balotelli Lamented His Two-Year Stint at Liverpool
Brendan Rodgers and Mario Balotelli
Balotelli enjoyed an impressive spell at Manchester City between 2010 and 2013, scoring 30 goals in 80 appearances, winning a Premier League title in the process. However, he opted to leave the north-west in January 2013 to return to his home nation, signing for AC Milan after falling behind Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko in the pecking order at the Etihad.
He was back in this region of England just 18 months later, deciding he wanted another go at the Premier League. He arrived at Liverpool in August 2014 after Rodgers had pushed for his acquisition, but went on to struggle to adapt to life on Merseyside.
Ranking the 10 worst Liverpool players in history ft Andy Carroll, Alberto Aquilani and Mario Balotelli
Ranking the 10 worst Liverpool players in history ft Andy Carroll, Alberto Aquilani and Mario Balotelli
"Joining Liverpool was the worst decision of my life," he told Canal+ (via FourFourTwo) in 2016.
"Apart from the fantastic fans and some players with whom I have an excellent relationship, I did not like the club.
"I had two coaches at Liverpool, Rodgers and Klopp for a bit. I did not like their methods and their personalities. I never really felt well there.
"I am nothing like Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] for example. You could confront Zlatan with lions, and he would still be calm. If you surround him with good people, he will still be calm. That's the way he is.
"But I need to be more relaxed and have surroundings that work for me."
Jurgen Klopp looking angry at Liverpool with Anfield background
Jurgen Klopp looking angry at Liverpool with Anfield background
Balotelli parted ways with Liverpool two years after signing for the Premier League giants. He spent the second of these two seasons back in Milan on loan, after having made just 28 appearances in his debut campaign for the Reds, netting four goals.
How Mario Balotelli's Career Has Panned Out Post-Liverpool
Mario Balotelli Liverpool
In the same interview 10 years ago, Balotelli revealed that he had aspirations of winning the Ballon d'Or within a few years. "It is not too late for me to win the Ballon d'Or," he said.
This increased hard work led to a solid career at numerous different clubs, but he never came close to the Ballon d'Or.
After leaving Liverpool, Balotelli enjoyed a productive two-and-a-half-year stint at Nice in France, before a succession of largely unsuccessful spells in several different countries. He spent time at Marseille, Brescia, Monza, Adana Demirspor, Sion, Genoa and Al-Ittifaq, where he is today, still playing football and scoring goals at the age of 36.
Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 15-08-26.