Carlo Ancelotti: 'Liverpool problems are bigger than Mario Balotelli'

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that Liverpool's problems run far deeper than Mario Balotelli's goalscoring woes.

The 24-year-old has come under fire after producing a string of lacklustre performances, having scored just twice in 12 games since securing a £16m move from AC Milan.

The Reds have subsequently struggled as last season's runners-up in the Premier League sit seventh in the table after dropping 16 points already.

Although admitting that Balotelli's profligacy is a problem, Ancelotti, whose side face Liverpool in the Champions League tonight, says that there are plenty of other issues to address in the team.

"Balotelli is spoken of a lot, maybe too much, he has quality," he told reporters. "He is at a side where they're not playing well having lost Luis Suarez who scored a lot.

"They need another solution, but I don't think all of Liverpool's problems are Balotelli. He needs to do his work for the side. That's all that can be asked of him."

Kickoff at the Santiago Bernabeu is scheduled for 7.45pm.