Liverpool FC: Rodgers Taking Measures To Keep Mario Balotelli Focused

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers revealed some of the measures that he is currently implementing to keep striker Mario Balotelli focused on his game.

The Italian international is known for having a big ego, clashing with past mentors such as Jose Mourinho and Roberto Mancini, but the Irishman is trying to instill a "team first" mindset on Super Mario in such a way that he will be able to co-exist with his teammates.

I'm not talking about ­Balotelli every week that's for sure. Everything he does off the field gets looked at," he said.

"He does stupid things but I just want to really make sure he's focused on his football to make sure this isn't a ­circus around one player."

"This is a guy I believe can help us but he's not the star of the team. It is about the team. It's about taking away the background noise which surrounds him."

"When he came in we were asked about the press conference. I said, 'What press conference?"

"It's the same as every other player. There was no press conference for Adam Lallana or Lazar Markovic. Just get up the stairs, hold the shirt, get your photograph taken and get out."

"And that's what he's done. In training this week he's been out for 45 minutes after training doing extras. Doing specifics. Practising free kicks. Touch. Penalites - even in the rain."

On the pitch, Rodgers started with reminding him who's boss insofar as spot kicks are concerned.

"He asked who takes the penalties. He's ­brilliant at it and he knows it as well. But Steven Gerrard is the ­penalty taker," he added.

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