Although described as a “calculated gamble” by manager Brendan Rodgers when Mario Balotelli signed for Liverpool, there didn’t appear to be any thought what so ever put into the signing of the Italian what so ever.
He couldn’t have been further removed from the team collective that Rodgers had instilled, or the fast paced attacking play. The Italian forward likes to do things his own way, which is completely opposite to the Liverpool way and the transfer failed spectacularly.
Still, despite Liverpool wasting £16 million and £75,000 a week, only to give the 26-year-old to Nice on a free, there may be a way for them to make some money back from the abysmal transfer, as it was revealed that the Reds had managed to negotiate a 30% sell on clause in the Italian’s contract.
Based on current form, this is worthless to the Reds, but considering that the Italian has racked up around £60 million worth of transfer fees over his career, there is the chance that they may just recoup some value. Still, it represents a great way for the club to get some reward for what was basically a risk free transfer.
Balotelli was an expensive and damaging presence at Anfield, and getting him out of the club for free was the correct decision. If he can recapture some of his old form at Nice and earn one more big move, Liverpool could be in line to finally get some return from their investment in Balotelli.
Elsewhere, Liverpool’s failed quest to sign Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud was one of their biggest disappointments of the summer, but they may not have to wait long to secure their man, with rumours that the German club may offer the Reds the chance to sign the player in January.
Gladbach held firm when Liverpool offered £25 million for the tough tackling midfielder in the summer, but a clause in his contract means that he will be available to leave for under £10 million next summer, so the German club may offer him to the Reds early in order to make a bit more money from their starlet.
As for the Reds, injuries to Emre Can and Lucas have shown how painfully short they are of defensive midfielders, and Dahoud looks like the perfect player to slot in at the base of midfield to allow the more attacking players to flourish. At just 20 as well, he has plenty of time to improve and will fit in with the club ethos very well.
If they can get Dahoud in January they should go for it.
Finally, defender Mamadou Sakho faces a long road back into the Liverpool side after Jurgen Klopp said he needed time to regain his fitness.
However, reports of a fallout between player and manager seem to have been overblown, with Klopp explaining that Sakho needed to get back into shape because he had spent a long time out through injury and suspension, rather than questioning his playing ability.
The manager also alluded to his wish for Sakho to go out on loan, saying he wanted the defender to regain his fitness and suggested that a loan move was the best way for him to do this.
But although Sakho has to prove himself fit to the manager, and faces a difficult task to get back in the team, Klopp said that the Frenchman did not have to regain his trust, and when he is available he will have the chance to play.
This is positive news for the Frenchman, who many thought had riled the manager so much he would never play for Liverpool again. If he can prove his fitness to Klopp, he will be a very valuable asset for the club this season.
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