Mario Balotelli’s agent backs Brendan Rodgers’ treatment of the striker

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The agent of Mario Balotelli, Mino Raiola, has lavished praise on Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers…

Mino Raiola has praised Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers for the work he’s done with striker Mario Balotelli this season, claiming that the Kop boss has done more for the Italian than any other coach.

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Raiola, who is currently Balotelli’s agent, helped organise his £16m switch from AC Milan last summer. He was quoted by Sky Sports earlier today, less than 48 hours after his client’s cryptic dig at the Liverpool management.

In a short series of quotes, Raiola claimed that Rodgers has pushed Balotelli to better himself this season, and has spent much more time working with the player than the likes of Jose Mourinho or Roberto Mancini.

He said: “Right now, I think Mario has a very interesting development for his career. He has found a coach who asks of him things that had never been requested of him until now, including the discipline of running without the ball.

“This allows him to grow as a person and as a football player. He’ll come out even stronger. He is proud of his team (Liverpool) and that is the most important.”

Balotelli was an unused substitute for the second match in succession during Wednesday’s game against Burnley, having also missed out on Sunday’s victory over his former club, Manchester City.

A frustrated Balotelli, who has scored just four goals so far this season, took to social media website Instagram after the game to criticise an unnamed member of Liverpool staff, most likely Rodgers.

The 24-year-old said: “Someone doesn’t like me but differently (sic) of what they say about me I’m a team player and I’m so proud of my team, of this win and of these fans! Let’s keep going. Bravi Ragazzi!!! YNWA !!!”

These latest quotes Raiola will hopefully have gone some way to repairing any damage caused, as Balotelli’s uncertain future at the club continues to be the subject of a high percentage of media speculation.

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