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Mark Lawrenson has labelled Mario Balotelli 'an absolute waste of time' who will let Liverpool down '99 times out of 100'.
The former Reds defender made his comments following Liverpool's 0-0 FA Cup quarter-final draw with Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.
Balotelli, who moved from AC Milan to Liverpool for £16 million last summer, has failed to score in his last five games, and Lawrenson said the Italian should not be anywhere near Anfield.
"Forget about Mario Balotelli. He is an absolute waste of time. He shouldn't be anywhere near this team," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Liverpool v Blackburn - player ratings
"I can see why Brendan Rodgers threw him on [against Blackburn] as he might just create something but, 99 times out of 100, he will let you down."
The criticism of Balotelli continued during the Blackburn game when he tried a shot from 30 yards but could only watch as it blazed over the opposition goal.
"It's exactly what you'd expect from Mario," added Lawrenson's colleague Alan Green.
