Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli is ordinary, says QPR star

Adel Taarabt has described Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli as an “ordinary player”.

The Queens Park Rangers midfielder played with the Italy international during a season-long loan spell at AC Milan last season.

He’s had so many chances, from Manchester City to Milan, and he’s thrown them away

Adel Taarabt

But the Morocco international wasn’t impressed with the 24-year-old forward, insisting the Reds man isn’t a world-class striker.

“Balotelli? Everyone told me he was amazing and I played with him and I can say he is strong but he didn’t seem to me as though he was world class,” Taarabt told Sky Italia.

“He is an ordinary player, not a phenomenon. He is someone who has a strong shot but he doesn’t play for the team. And if he does, he doesn’t score as is the case right now at Liverpool.

“He’s had so many chances, from Manchester City to Milan, and he’s thrown them away.”

Balotelli has failed to score a Premier League goal since a £16m move to Liverpool from AC Milan.