‘Mario Balotelli not to blame for Liverpool slump’ Carlo Ancelotti

REAL Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti believes the criticism of Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli following their poor season start has been over the top.

Liverpool's Italian striker Mario Balotelli screams in pain following an injury during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, northeast England, on November 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

REAL Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti believes the criticism of underfire Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli following their poor start to the season has been over the top.

Balotelli is yet to score a Premier League goal for the Reds since making a 16 million pound ($29 million) move from AC Milan in August and was widely lambasted for swapping shirts with Madrid defender Pepe with his side trailing 3-0 at half-time two weeks ago before being substituted at the break.

However, Ancelotti insisted Liverpool’s problems were not solely down to his Italian compatriot and that he had no problems with his players swapping shirts at half-time.

Liverpool's striker Mario Balotelli (left) vies with Newcastle United's midfielder Jack Colback. Picture: AFP/Ian MacNicol

“There is a lot of talk about Balotelli, maybe too much,” said Ancelotti.

“He has quality, but he has come to a team going through a difficult time after losing some important players like (Luis) Suarez.

“The manager needs to find another solution, but it is the same with all the new players. I don’t think all of Liverpool’s problems are down to Balotelli.

“The exchanging of shirts at half-time is very common. If one of my players did it tomorrow I wouldn’t take them off.”

Liverpool’s defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday was already their sixth of the season, leaving them seventh in the Premier League and in a fight with Basel and Ludogorets Razgrad for second place in Champions League Group B.