Liverpool fans offered chance to swap Balotelli shirts for Fowler or Rush tops

After Mario Balotelli's half-time shirt swap proved so controversial in midweek, Paddy Power today set up their own 'Swap Shop' at Anfield today, ahead of Liverpool's clash with Hull City.

The £16million signing from AC Milan sent fans into a frenzy back in August- and expectant supporters promptly spent £50,000 on shirts with Balotelli's name and number on.

But Reds supporters upset with the Italian's performance on Wednesday during the defeat to Real Madrid, can trade in their No.45 shirt for one featuring the name of a former Reds goalscorer.

Some fans queued around the terraced houses to exchange their Balotelli shirt for ones reading Rush, Fowler and Owen - provided for free by Paddy Power.

“You can understand why the Liverpool fans are getting shirty. The performances have been less Super Mario and more Luigi," explained Paddy Power (who clearly never played Luigi's Mansion).

"The lack of goals wouldn’t be quite as frustrating if he made more of an effort.

"We stepped in as it seems only fair that if Balotelli doesn't want his shirt, fans shouldn’t have to keep on going round with his name on their backs.”