Mario Balotelli is not to blame for Liverpool’s disappointing campaign, according to AFC Wimbledon striker Bayo Akinfenwa.
Akinfenwa is preparing to go head-to-head with Balotelli as the Dons welcome the Anfield club to Kingsmeadow in the FA Cup tonight.
It is a special moment for the man they call the Beast as Akinfenwa is a self-confessed Reds fanatic having grown up watching John Barnes.
Like Barnes, Balotelli likes a trick or two but has only netted twice for Liverpool since joining from AC Milan in the summer for a fee of £16million.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have failed to hit the heights that saw them secure Champions League football last season thanks to the goalscoring of Luis Suarez.
Suarez moved to Barcelona after the World Cup and Balotelli hasn’t been able to live up to the standards set by the Uruguayan.
But for Akinfenwa, the problems on Merseyside cannot be laid solely at the feet of Balotelli and the Beast thinks people are picking on him because he’s an easy target.
Akinfenwa said: “I’m a Balotelli fan. He gets a lot of criticism but Liverpool’s style does not suit him and because Liverpool are struggling he gets highlighted.
“I do think he’s an easy target. People think he’s lazy but he’s a laid-back footballer.
If you try to ask people to different things you’re not going to get the best out of him and that’s what is happening with Balotelli.
“You can’t deny his talent though and he’s still so young.”
Akinfenwa is set to lead the line for the Dons this evening, with manager Neal Ardley relishing the prospect of taking on the Premier League giants.
Ardley added: “We’re excited. As a manager I’m excited to pit my wits against world-class players and a world-class manager. No matter what happens we can’t lose.
“If we get beaten comprehensively then there’s a gulf in class and people will understand that, but we’re certainly not going in with that attitude.
“We’re going into it with a plan and the energy and enthusiasm to go well. It doesn’t happen by chance that you win, it happens because every member of your team brings their A game.”
