Danny Murphy Doubts Mario Balotelli Was Signed by Brendan Rodgers

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has suggested that Italian striker Mario Balotelli might not have been bought by manager Brendan Rodgers, according to ​talk SPORT.

It's looking likely that Balotelli won't spend another season on Merseyside as Brendan Rodgers has frozen out the out-of-favour forward.

The Italian troublemaker is not the only player to receive the silent treatment from Rodgers, as defender Jose Enrique and Balotelli's compatriot Fabio Borini have also been given the cold shoulder. 

Borini failed to impress Brendan Rodgers last term whilst Jose Enrique spent the entire season on the sidelines due to a knee injury.

"If you take the three players in the headlines at the moment – Enrique, Borini and Balotelli – they’ve all had a fair crack of the whip, really,” Murphy said.

“Enrique has not helped himself; he’s missed a lot of games with poor excuses in the past couple of seasons and he’s not the bravest." 

Murphy also expressed his thoughts on Liverpool's complex transfer committee.

“I think Balotelli has had a fair go in the team."

"Whether Brendan was solely in charge of getting Balotelli in in the first place, I’m not sure, because they’ve got a committee that get players in." 

“And Borini has actually been a player who has been sought after. Sunderland came in for him and offered good money, but he didn’t want to go.” finished Murphy.

Respected journalist Tony Barrett weighed in on the debate, suggesting Balotelli, Divock Origi, Joe Gomez and Lazar Markovic were committee signings.

Barrett continued, alluding the likes of Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, James Milner, Adam Lallana and Christian Benteke were chosen by Rodgers alone.