Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has claimed that Mario Balotelli is making a "mockery" of the club.
The Italian has struggled to find his form at Anfield since his £16m move from AC Milan in August and became embroiled in controversy after an alleged anti-Semitic post on Instagram earlier this week.
Nicol believes that the money spent on Balotelli would have been more wisely invested in Southampton's Shane Long.
He told talkSPORT: "They spent £16m on Balotelli but I would prefer to have signed someone like Shane Long. He's someone who will come on the field and throw his guts into a game and give you everything he's got. He might not have the ability or the CV of Balotelli but the fans would love him.
"Instead, you've got a guy who is not producing on the field and who's making a mockery of the club off the field."
Balotelli is yet to score a Premier League goal for the Reds since his move.
Paul Gorst
