Ancelotti: Don't blame Balotelli for all of Liverpool's problems
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti feels it is far too easy to blame Mario Balotelli for Liverpool's problems this season, arguing the club's current issues are more "complex".
The Reds were one of the stories of last season's Premier League, going so close to a first title triumph since 1990 only to suffer a dramatic collapse in the closing stages of a thrilling campaign.
Brendan Rodgers & Co. received plaudits for their attacking play and were even talked up as potential dark horses for this season's Champions League, but they have struggled home and abroad this term.
The sale of Luis Suarez, who hit 31 goals last season, has been keenly felt, as has an injury to Daniel Sturridge, with summer signing Balotelli copping criticism for failing to fill the void with just two goals.
"We speak about Mario so much - too much," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Balotelli is a quality player who has found himself in a team that have lost Suarez and must therefore find different solutions.
"Liverpool's problem is not only Balotelli. It's a complex question. Sure, he must help the team to rediscover the good form of last season, but you cannot pin all of the blame for some results on Mario."
Balotelli was heavily criticized by ex-Liverpool players for swapping shirts with Madrid defender Pepe as the pair walked off the pitch at half-time in the club's 3-0 loss to Madrid at Anfield last time out.
The gesture was viewed as emblematic of the 24-year-old's lack of focus and professionalism, but Ancelotti felt it was much ado about nothing.
"It's such a common gesture," the former AC Milan boss argued. "I wouldn't send one of my players home if he swapped shirts."
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