LIVERPOOL: Patience with Balotelli waning

Liverpool's Italian striker Mario Balotelli lines up before kick off of the UEFA Champions League, group B, football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at Anfield in Liverpool, northwest England, on October 22, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS

A halftime swap of shirts with a Real Madrid player provided the first flashpoint in Mario Balotelli’s career at Liverpool. In truth, it should be the least of the team’s worries. What should be of more concern are ineffective displays by the Italy striker that are causing restlessness among fans and increasing dismay among teammates. Spoilt by a weekly glut of goals from Luis Suarez last season, Liverpool fans are feeling short-changed by the Uruguayan’s replacement. The bare statistics show Balotelli has one goal in 10 games, but it is his all-round contribution that has been more disappointing. And patience is starting to wear thin at Anfield. -AP