Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli claims manager Brendan Rodgers’ tactics contributed to his woeful spell at the Anfield.
The 25-year-old striker has returned to AC Milan on loan a year after leaving the San Siro in a last-minute deal which Rodgers admitted at the time was a “calculated risk”.
Balotelli was criticised for his attitude and lack of work-rate but he said Rodgers’ tactics made it difficult for him.
“I must accept my faults but the formation chosen by Rodgers was not suited to my characteristics,” he said.
“At the beginning I missed several easy chances, then I had fewer chances to score, a bit of bad luck, injuries. A mess of things.”
Balotelli quickly fell out of favour and after being left out of the pre-season tour Rodgers made it clear to him he no longer had a future at the club, forcing him to train away from the rest of the squad with other unwanted players like Fabio Borini and Jose Enrique.
