Lawrenson: Balotelli is a 'waste of time'

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has told boss Brendan Rodgers to ditch Mario Balotelli, calling the striker a "waste of time."

Balotelli endured a difficult start to life at Liverpool following a 16 million-pound move from AC Milan last summer, but seemed to have turned a corner when scoring winning goals against Tottenham Hotspur and Besiktas last month

The Italy international came on for the final 32 minutes of Livepool's 0-0 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup quarterfinals but, in his postmatch analysis on the BBC, Lawrenson pulled no punches.

"Forget about Mario Balotelli. He is an absolute waste of time," Lawrenson said. "He shouldn't be anywhere near this team.

"I can see why Brendan Rodgers threw him on [Sunday's FA Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers] as he might just create something, but 99 times out of 100 he will let you down."

Lawrenson did praise Blackburn, who have earned a lucrative replay at Ewood Park on either April 7 or 8 with the prize of a Wembley semifinal at stake on the weekend of April 18.

"Congratulations to Blackburn Rovers on an absolutely magnificent display. They were never ever desperate at any time," he added.

"They have looked at how Liverpool have played recently and the tactics were spot on. Goalkeeper Simon Eastwood hasn't really had to make a real top class save."