Balotelli must work harder says Rodgers [divider]

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that Mario Balotelli must start working harder following the 1-0 win over Beşiktaş in the Europa League Round of 32.

“We need to ensure that whatever level of the game we are playing at we have everyone working as a team and once we got the penalty he stops working,” Rodgers was quoted as saying in the Metro.

“So he needs to improve on that facet of his game to play in his position, rather than standing on the side of the football field.”

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Rodgers congratulated Balotelli for scoring the penalty that won the game against Beşiktaş but underlined that the Italian international striker must do more.

“He has contributed against Besiktas, he has got the penalty and scored the goal, but that is what he is paid to do,” he added.

“He needs to keep that efficiency in his game and show that he can affect the team whether he is asked to play from the bench or from the start.”

Liverpool travel to Istanbul next week to take on Beşiktaş at the Atatürk Olympic stadium in the second leg.

Balotelli is expected to feature in the second tie as well however, Steven Gerrard is a doubt and Lucas is expected to miss the game due to injury.

The Reds face a tough test in the Premier League first as they take on fourth place Southampton.

Liverpool are currently 7th in the league but will move just one point behind the Saints with a win on Sunday.