MX23RW : Friday, November 8 13:30:11| >> :60:2417:2417:

Emile Heskey: 'Mario Balotelli risk will pay off for Liverpool'

Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey says that Anfield-bound forward Mario Balotelli will be a success at the club despite his off-field reputation.

Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has admitted that the club is taking a risk by signing Mario Balotelli, but believes that the striker will be a success.

Balotelli has clashed with previous managers Jose Mourinho and Roberto Mancini in the past, and has also made headlines for his off-field activity.

Despite this, Heskey believes that the ex-Manchester City forward, who is closing in on a £16m move from AC Milan to Anfield, will be a success in his second spell in the Premier League.

He told reporters: "I didn't realise he was on their radar, I don't think anyone was realising that, but once you get over that shock, you think it's quite a good deal.

"I think you probably are looking at a risk, but they would have probably weighed everything up, and every manager thinks that they can tame the beast or the wild side of him. But if you're looking at his goals-per-game ratio, it's quite good.

"I do think he's got a lot of talent and I do think he'll bring a something to the side, I think Liverpool have spent money wisely, and improved their squad immensely."

Balotelli spent three years at Manchester City before joining Milan in January 2013.

ID:172620: cacheID:172620:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2564:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
AC Milan's Mario Balotelli in action during a friendly match against Chelsea on August 4, 2013
Read Next:
Liverpool 'include Balotelli behaviour clauses'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!