Balotelli’s training tantrums drove Lambert apart at Liverpool

Mario Balotelli’s disruptive training behaviour infuriated former Liverpool teammate Rickie Lambert, prompting the club to keep the two players apart during their spell at Anfield. The Italian’s habit of scoring own‑goals when frustrated left teammates unable to see any humour in the episodes.

Early clashes and career moves

Former Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert, 44, was required to stay separate from Balotelli in training at Anfield, a precaution taken by manager Brendan Rodgers. Lambert moved back to his boyhood club in the summer of 2014 after Luis Suarez's dramatic exit to join Barcelona.

Brendan Rodgers signed Balotelli, eight years Lambert’s junior, to partner him in a new‑look Reds attack. The Italian, now playing for Al‑Ittifaq in the UAE, managed only four goals in 28 appearances for Liverpool before being transferred to Nice in 2016.

Training clashes and own‑goal habit

Balotelli, described as a tempestuous Italian, often scored own‑goals when fed up, a habit that baffled his teammates. In a 10‑versus‑10 drill ahead of a weekend fixture against Arsenal, he inadvertently netted against his own reserve goalkeeper Brad Jones.

A report by The Standard in August 2015, just before his loan return to AC Milan, noted that Balotelli astonished bystanders with a jaw‑dropping goal from halfway, further highlighting his unpredictable nature.

Lambert recalled on the Straight From the Off podcast in 2021: “He was a good lad, childish but infectious. I’ve never seen anything like it, to be honest. At first he gave everything when he played, but in training I could tell he wasn’t giving his all.” He added that he had to ask Brendan Rodgers not to pair him with Balotelli again, a sentiment echoed by Stevie Gerrard.

The article opens with ImagesMario showing the tension, and the accompanying photograph is credited to John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images. The piece repeatedly uses the word LIVERPOOL in caps and even promotes a Liverpool Facebook page, noting that We also treat our community members to special offers.