Thursday, 30th October, 2014
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has brushed off talk that he is going to have to protect Mario Balotelli on the pitch.
Balotelli was involved in an incident with Swansea's Jonjo Shelvey in the League Cup in midweek, the pair rowing on the pitch and then the Italian flicking the midfielder's ear as he reacted.
It was suggested to Rodgers at a press conference today that opponents might try to wind Balotelli up, with the Liverpool manager asked if the striker needs to be protected.
"I don't have to protect Mario!" Rodgers exclaimed.
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"There's no concern [over opponents winding him up].
"Think of a better question, come on!" the Liverpool boss concluded.
Balotelli scored his second goal for Liverpool against Swansea, helping the Reds to a 2-1 League Cup win over the Welsh side.
The Italian, who cost £16m to sign from AC Milan in the summer, is still waiting for his first Premier League goal for his new employers however and will try to register that this weekend when Liverpool play Newcastle.
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