By Griffin Okuchukwu
Mario Balotelli is once again on a familiar path having infuriated Liverpool fans by swapping shirts with Real Madrid defender, Pepe during half-time of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
The under-fire striker, who has scored just one goal for the Reds and was criticised for his poor performance against QPR on Sunday, drew another blank in the first period against the European champions, and was later pictured exchanging shirts with the Portugal international.
The move has clearly worsened his relations with the Anfield faithful, coming at a time the Reds trailed 3-0 going, the eventual scoreline of the match following a Karim Benzema brace and a fine Cristiano Ronaldo strike.
Balotelli was later substituted ahead of the second period, as Brendan Rodgers opted to introduce Adam Lallana in place of the £16 million signing from AC Milan with the home side searching for a way back into the game.
Liverpool have endured a tricky return to the Champions League, having lost to Basel in Switzerland on Match day Two following a narrow opening night win over Ludogorets and travel to the Bernabeu for the second leg of their double-header against Real next time out.
