Roberto Mancini demands more from Mario Balotelli

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has urged striker Mario Balotelli to step up his game this season.

The Italy international is likely to start against Liverpool at Anfield in their Premier League encounter on Sunday because of an injury to Sergio Aguero.

"Mario is the same," Mancini is quoted as saying in The Sun. "Maybe he can improve but I don't think he will change in one month.

"If he always plays like he did in the European Championships, then yes, he will get better.

"But he has a big responsibility here, for us. He is an important player who we spent a lot of money on. He can do his job better here."

Balotelli joined City from Inter Milan in 2010 and has often been involved in controversial incidents both on the pitch and off it.