Liverpool’s former manager Brendan Rodgers has slammed the former side’s decision to sign Mario Balotelli from AC Milan instead of Alexis Sanchez who he asked for.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Rodgers suggested he was forced by Liverpool’s owners to buy Balotelli after identifying Alexis Sanchez as the best replacement for the departed Luis Suarez.

Liverpool signed Balotelli from AC Milan  for £16 million in 2014, but the Italian endured an unsuccessful season at Anfield before returning to Italy on loan for this campaign.

“When we were struggling to get in the type of player we wanted for that role, the ownership thought this (Balotelli) was a player I could maybe develop,” Rodgers said.

“They thought this is a £50 million player that they can bring in for 16 million, and I can maybe develop him how I developed a few of the other players.

“When the owners want you to go down that route and there are no other options, you give it a go.”

Rodgers also rued Alexis Sanchez decision to move to Arsenal.

“The huge blow for us was that we felt we could get Alexis Sanchez,” Rodgers said.

“We thought he was the like-for-like replacement, we thought he would be perfect for us how he pressed the game, how aggressive he was in his quality.

“We felt with Luis gone, we would get Sanchez in, it would be a smooth transition into the team.”

Balotelli scored just four goals in 28 appearances for Liverpool in a disappointing season where the Merseysiders finished sixth in the League while Alexis Sanchez went on to star for Arsenal and leading the side to FA Cup glory.

Source: Naij