Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers believes there is no comparison between former Reds striker Luis Suarez and new arrival Mario Balotelli— at leastnot yet. Balotelli joined the Reds from AC Milan to fill the void left by Suarez’s departure for Barcelona this summer, although there have been doubts as to whether the Italian can adequatelyfill his shoes. Balotelli has found the net just once in his first five appearances for Liverpool, while Suarez scored 82 goals in just 133 appearances.
“There is no comparison between the two asplayers,” Rodgers said, speaking ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton. “Luis was brilliant for me in his time here and developed to become a player who consistentlydelivered in terms of scoring and creating. Mario is different. He’s got a lot of experience for 24, he has come here as an established international.”
He added: “Suarez elevatedhimself, that was clear. He wasn’t world class when he came in but when he left to go to Barcelona he had put himself in that bracket. He did that because of his consistency in scoring goals andkeeping his performance level high. World class is about being at the highest level consistently, being at that level in your game consistently. That’s what takes you there.
“I think Mario ispotentially world class. You can’t compare Suarez and him, but Mario is coming in as an international striker and he’s a talent, no doubt.”