COMMENT: Balotelli’s half-time antics puts Anfield future in doubt

Mario Balotelli gave away his Liverpool shirt at half-time against Real Madrid in a moment that symbolised the gaping gap between the two sides; and there will be now be inevitable speculation over whether he will ever get it back again.

The controversial Italian has endured a miserable start to his Anfield career since a €20 million move from AC Milan, and few days have been worse than this one as Liverpool’s dream of recreating their European glory days was brutally dismantled by Carlo Ancelotti’s irrepressible side.

It was bad enough that Balotelli ambled his way ineffectively through a first half in which Real cruised into a three-goal lead, and bad enough that he never came close to adding to the solitary goal he has scored in a Liverpool shirt so far — against Champions League minnows Ludogorets Razgrad. But what really hurt Liverpool fans was the sight of the striker swapping shirts with Real defender Pepe as the pair walked amicably down the tunnel at half-time, the Portugal international patting his opponent affectionately on the shoulder as they went.