Having a big character, does it help?

Does having a ‘big name’ character make that much of a difference to a team?

There have been plenty of mixed views on the Mario Balotelli transfer, many Liverpool fans delighted to see the Italian replace the unforgettable Luis Suarez and others a little worried he may bring nothing but trouble.

Liverpool have seemingly become a club to have players seizing the headlines for the wrong reasons in past seasons, but despite that, the football under Brendan Rodgers has improved. Maybe clubs are scared? Do they feel nervous when a big character is floating about their box? I think they are.

“Mark Balotelli like your bank account depends on it!” are the words I suspect opposition managers to be drumming into the ears of their players this season. We saw it too often with Luis Suarez, literally being battered at times (with his dramatic reactions never helping).

I feel that the reason we still remained able to put in a title fight was because we have other players able to make something happen, the likes of last season’s second top scorer, Daniel Sturridge, the magician Phillipe Coutinho and our flamboyant 19-year-old Raheem Sterling alongside the added distraction of Suarez and his world-class attributes. I’d expect to see the same thing happen with Balotelli.

What makes things even more exciting this season, is the fact that we have signed players who have undeniably strengthened our squad, there is so much depth and a challenge for places in all areas, something we lacked last time around.

When we took on Spurs at White Hart Lane on Sunday, shades of the confidence we displayed in last season’s campaign reappeared, as we went on to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory. I know it’s early days but it was a nice feeling to see The Reds achieve a clean sheet, particularly after signing so many new defensive recruitments,a good boost to the team moral. Balotelli being on his best behaviour, who was unlucky not to score on his debut on a few occasions, was another bonus and hopefully that will continue.

After the International break we face Aston Villa at Anfield, who have had an unbeaten start in the league with 2 wins and 1 draw so I expect a tough match. It’s the cliché saying, “Take every game as it comes” that springs to mind.

Overall, I don’t see why Liverpool can’t have another top season, with the added inclusion of a European conquest! Things are looking up at the moment.