The former Reds defender feels the Southampton striker would have offered far more value for money than the troubled Italian.
Ex-Liverpool defender Steve Nicol thinks Mario Balotelli is ‘not producing on the field’ and ‘making a mockery of the club off the field.’
And the Italian should never have been signed, according to the 52-year-old Scot.
Indeed, the former Liverpool man feels the Reds should have instead opted to recruit Southampton striker Shane Long, who was signed by the Saints for £12 million this summer – £4m less than Balotelli.
“They spent £16 million on Balotelli but I would prefer to have signed someone like Shane Long,” Nicol told talkSPORT.
“He’s someone who will come on the field and throw his guts into a game and give you everything he’s got. He might hot have the ability or the CV of Balotelli but the fans would love him.
“Instead, you’ve got a guy who is not producing on the field and who’s making a mockery of the club off the field.”
Southampton were six points ahead of Liverpool before they traveled to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal earlier tonight.
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