Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has stated that although Balotelli hasn’t performed to his potential, Liverpool have much bigger problems, Express reports.

The two sides will meet in Tuesday’s Champions League clash at the Santiago Bernabeu and while Real are firing on all cylinders after 11 straight victories, the Reds have already lost four out of six away games.

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And many have pinned Mario Balotelli as the scapegoat for Liverpool’s disappointing performances, but Ancelotti claims Brendan Rodgers shouldn’t focus on the Italian’s form as much as the club’s other weaknesses.

“Balotelli is spoken of a lot, maybe too much, he has quality,” said Ancelotti. “He is at a side where they’re not playing well having lost Luis Suarez who scored a lot.

“They need another solution, but I don’t think all of Liverpool’s problems are Balotelli. He needs to do his work for the side. That’s all that can be asked of him.”

Meanwhile, Ancelotti has a fine dilemma to solve with the return of Gareth Bale, who could replace Isco on the left side of the Los Blancos midfield.

“Gareth Bale is ready to play and is back from injury, but I don’t know if he will play from the off or be on the bench,” said Ancelotti, whose side have plundered 46 goals in 11 straight victories in all competitions.

“The side is fine and right now the football is intense. The side are fine now, we have things to improve and rotation is important to help prevent problems and injuries.

“The side fills me with confidence because we’re playing well, especially in big games. The players know better than me that all games are an examination and we can improve or take a step back.

“We have been on a good run and that helps us, we have a serious side and I don’t think that we will lose. The team’s professionalism is total.”

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