Liverpool legends Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp stick the boot into 'panic buy' Mario Balotelli, and claim it would be a surprise if he's at Anfield next season

  • Mario Balotelli signed for Liverpool for £16 million in the summer but Jamie Carragher insists it must have been a panic buy from Brendan Rodgers
  • Jamie Redknapp also claimed that there was a reason he was 'half price'
  • Balotelli was hauled off at half-time, and was seen swapping shirts with Pepe as the two teams left the field at the break
  • Carragher also claimed he would be surprised to see Balotelli at Anfield next season, while Redknapp blamed Rodgers for buying him 

By Ben Nagle for MailOnline

Published: 17:59 EST, 22 October 2014 | Updated: 03:54 EST, 23 October 2014

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has heaped criticism on Mario Balotelli, claiming that he would be shocked if the mercurial striker is still at Anfield next season.

Speaking post-match on Sky Sports, Carragher, along with Jamie Redknapp and Graeme Souness, gave their thoughts on a lacklustre Liverpool display, and lambasted Balotelli's involvement.

'I can't change the way I feel about Balotelli, and that is nothing to do with what he's done in a Liverpool shirt,' Carragher said. 'It's what he's done at Manchester City and AC Milan.

Mario Balotelli was criticised after Liverpool's 3-0 loss to Real Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday night

Mario Balotelli was criticised after Liverpool's 3-0 loss to Real Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday night

Jamie Carragher, Jamie Redknapp, Graeme Souness and Jeff Stelling discussed Balotelli after the match

Jamie Carragher, Jamie Redknapp, Graeme Souness and Jeff Stelling discussed Balotelli after the match

'Do I think he's going to be here long-term? No, I'd be surprised to see him here next season if I'm being honest.'

Jamie Redknapp was another guest on the programme, and he followed up Carragher's comments with his own assessment - instead blaming Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers for bringing Balotelli to the club in the first place.

'I don't blame Mario Balotelli, I blame Brendan Rodgers for bringing him here. How he thought he could turn around a player who Mourinho, Mancini and Prandelli have all washed their hands of.

Balotelli endured another torrid night in a Liverpool shirt and was replaced at half-time at Anfield

Balotelli endured another torrid night in a Liverpool shirt and was replaced at half-time at Anfield

Balotelli swapped shirts with Real Madrid defender Pepe as he wandered down the tunnel at half-time

Balotelli swapped shirts with Real Madrid defender Pepe as he wandered down the tunnel at half-time

Michael Owen also had his say on Balotelli via his Twitter account, claiming he has lost some respect

Michael Owen also had his say on Balotelli via his Twitter account, claiming he has lost some respect

'There’s a reason when you go to the supermarket and something is half price. 

'Why on earth they went for him I’ll never know. They should’ve just left him alone. The fact that they went and got him, it just doesn’t make any sense to me.'

Liverpool signed Balotelli for £16 million in the summer, widely regarded as a bargain in today's transfer market. Carragher though, insists the purchase must have been rushed.

Click here to see our brilliant Match Zone, including Balotelli's involvement - or lack of it

The Italian's heat map shows the extent of his performance - not straying inside the opponent's penalty area

The Italian's heat map shows the extent of his performance - not straying inside the opponent's penalty area

Carragher claimed that the purchase of Balotelli was a 'panic buy' from Brendan Rodgers

Carragher claimed that the purchase of Balotelli was a 'panic buy' from Brendan Rodgers

Balotelli, pictured challenging Isco during the first half, was poor yet again

Balotelli, pictured challenging Isco during the first half, was poor yet again

'It was a panic (buy). They were on the verge of selling Borini to Sunderland and they were going to go into the season with Rickie Lambert really. Daniel Sturridge is there but he’s got massive injury problems – he always has and he always will. 

'We needed someone. Who was available? Who knows who Brendan Rodgers and his scouting staff went for but they left it too late.

'A lot of players have come in, they’re doing a decent job here and there but none of them have really done anything. They bring Balotelli in late on, they think they get can something out of him for £16m. It’s obviously a panic.'

VIDEO Rodgers laments first-half showing

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