The answer to Liverpool's Balotelli conundrum is staring them in the face
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher says Mario Balotelli is not worthy of a place in the Merseysiders' starting line-up for the Champions League match against Real Madrid - but is he right? Our friends at Squawka.com investigate.
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The statement was bold, but fitting.
Jamie Carragher came right out and said it: Mario Balotelli must be dropped for Liverpool's Champions League Group B clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
The hype surrounding the Azzurri forward following his arrival at the club has slowly diminished and, as Carragher says, there can be no room for passengers against the Spanish side.
Yet a passenger is precisely what the 24-year-old is.
Balotelli is a luxury player; superb to call upon when your side is in form and cruising to a victory, but one who should be consigned to the sidelines if a tough 90 minutes lies ahead.
The statue of Bill Shankly outside Anfield often exhibits more movement that the maverick Italian, with his latest poor display against Queens Park Rangers testament to how his confidence has been sapped, and how his energy levels are almost non-existent.
At one point during the game at Loftus Road, even his lack of movement didn't matter: the ball fell straight to him with the goal gaping, but he could only fire high over the crossbar.
The forward's luck certainly seems to be out at the moment; Balotelli might have had a moreale-boosting tap-in later in the game, but Richard Dunne got there ahead of him to score the 10th own goal of his Premier League career.
When even an own goal in your team's favour goes against you, things really are bad.
And given that, manager Brendan Rodgers cannot just cross his fingers on Balotelli when his men meet the Champions League holders.
Opportunities to score are likely to be few and far between, with the hosts expected to be forced to play on the counter attack.
With a shot accuracy of 41% in the Premier League, Balotelli will struggle to provide the clinical focal point in front of goal that is required if Liverpool are to get anything out of the game.
So who should lead the line for the Reds? According to Carragher, the answer is obvious: Raheem Sterling.
But could the Jamaican-born teenager really slip seamlessly into a new role, as former Reds centre back Carragher has done with his punditry duties?
Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho could be set to flank the Jamaican born forward, with Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson offering support in midfield.
Captain Steven Gerrard will attempt to control proceedings from a deep lying role.
The position that Sterling would occupy will be what is heralded as a 'false nine'. He'd be required to drop deep to receive the ball, but also push forward to ensure Liverpool do not lose an outlet in the higher reaches of the pitch.
Easy to say, difficult to do. And while he's excelled at the tip of a diamond, Sterling would be caught half-way Madrid's powerful defence and the midfield pair of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Not easy company to live with.
The most strikingly obvious strength of the 19-year-old's game is his burst of speed, an ability that will be crucial in both defence and attack. The visitors will enjoy spells of domination, but Liverpool should not allow them to settle into a rhythm. The high pressing, high tempo style that served Rodgers so well last season must be replicated.
And with Sterling leading the line, his energy will help to harass Madrid. When Balotelli is fielded as a lone front man he often seems lackadaisical, or, worse still, uninterested. He constantly wants the ball to feet.
Sterling, by contrast, will be champing at the bit to get in behind. He will need to do so regularly.
Counter attacks helped Madrid destroy Bayern Munich and claim La Decima last season, but they too are vulnerable to such an approach themselves with a talent such as Sterling bearing down on goal.
The youngster's take-on ability is outstanding whether he is slipped in behind to run onto the ball and charged with setting up an opponent, or dribbling his way through Madrid's back line; he is capable of creating an opening.
At present he is the side's leading creative force, with 21 chances created in the Premier League.
With seven take ons in two Champions League fixtures this season, the teenager must remain willing to carry the ball and move his side up the pitch.
His attitude will be keenly viewed on the terraces. The mood around the stadium will be electric and Sterling's every move, chasing down the ball will build up the hopes of the supporters and his team mates.
Fielding Sterling up front would be an unusual move, but it highlights how few options are open to Liverpool given Balotelli's plight and Daniel Sturridge's injury.
Although Sterling was notoriously "tired" a matter of days ago in Tallinn, he will need to be at the races on Wednesday night - though given the might of Madrid, his performance alone will not decide the encounter.
How Liverpool's attack should line up is actually a relatively simple part of the puzzle facing Rodgers. How best to thwart the visitors' vast attacking prowess is another matter entirely.
But if the hosts crack that formula, they'll have high hopes of pulling something off. And truth be told, Balotelli knows better than anyone how to write his own footballing script. If Rodgers does keep faith with the Italian, you can't help but think that the unpredictable front man could deceive the form book and pop up to make his first significant contribution in a red shirt.
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