Saturday, 25th October, 2014
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists his focus is on the team and not Mario Balotelli after the Italian again misfired today in the Reds' 0-0 draw with Hull City.
Both teams gave as good as they got in the first half at Anfield, Dejan Lovren seeing a header cleared off the line for Liverpool and Tom Huddlestone coming close with a shot for Hull.
Steven Gerrard fizzed a shot past the post in the second period as Liverpool looked to move up a notch in tempo, but Balotelli missed two chances, both golden opportunities, as victory slipped through the hosts' fingers, despite them peppering the Tigers' goal with shots.
At the death the ball came to the Italian striker, but he missed it completely and slumped to the ground, the game ending 0-0.
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Rodgers feels Liverpool cannot reproach themselves for their performance, telling BBC Radio 5 live: "Performance wise we were excellent, particularly in the second half where we were outstanding.
"After a tough game in midweek [losing 3-0 to Real Madrid] it was a great effort from the players and we deserved to win the game.
"I thought it was just a matter of time until we scored, we created some opportunities and had 19 shots at goal. I can't ask for any more from the players, they've given everything."
Asked about Balotelli, he added: "Mario is working hard, he's working well in training and he's getting the opportunities, but my focus is on the team.
"Overall the mentality of the team, we want him to score, but it doesn't matter who scores."
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