Friday, 22nd August, 2014



Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has hinted that he will look to improve Mario Balotelli as a player when the Reds capture the Italian, while also insisting he would not sign any individual who would not fit into the club.

Balotelli is currently at Liverpool's training ground as the club try to wrap up his signing, with AC Milan having accepted a bid of €20m for the striker.



The former Manchester City man has had a controversial past, being dogged by incidents on and off the pitch which have tried his managers' patience to the limit and in some cases resulted in his offloading.

Today Rodgers was pushed on Balotelli at a press conference and while the Northern Irishman would not speak directly about the striker, he did hint that he does not view the Italian as a problem player and will look to improve his game once he arrives.

 


"No player would come here if I felt it couldn't work", Rodgers said.

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"I look at people and think if I can help the person it's something I will look at.

"If you assess my coaching career from when I was a youth coach, I look to try and develop the player and the person.

"If I feel someone cares enough I will give them everything.

"We have a culture here that creates the talents and gives them a chance to blossom. As long as they show they care and want to learn and develop, we will give them the opportunity."

The Liverpool boss also saluted the culture and environment at the club, insisting he would do nothing to put that in jeopardy.

"We've got a fantastic environment and great culture, and over the last two years it's been important for us to create and build here. So there will be nothing that will shake that in any way."

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