Liverpool news: Mario Balotelli correct to call our time together 'a disaster', admits Brendan Rodgers

Rodgers, now in charge of Celtic, has said that Balotelli's assessment of their working relationship is 'absolutely spot on'

Rodgers admits he failed to 'connect' with Balotelli at Liverpool (Getty)

Brendan Rodgers has admitted that Mario Balotelli was correct in his assessment of their working relationship when he claimed that the former Liverpool manager was his worst-ever coach.

The Nice striker recently described his relationship with Rodgers as “a disaster” after being asked to rank the managers he has played under during his career.

Rodgers sanctioned the signing of Balotelli for £16million in 2014, but the Italy international struggled for form at Anfield, scoring just four goals in 28 games.

Now in charge of Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic, Rodgers has claimed that Balotelli’s appraisal of their time together was correct.

“He was probably absolutely spot on. I just couldn’t really connect with Mario,” he told Talksport. “He was one that came in very late in the window. It was a gamble taken from a club perspective.

“It was one where he’s a big talent, he’ll come in and develop, he’s got all the tools… On the field, he tried his best. But yeah, it certainly wasn’t something that worked out as everyone would like.

“If you sit with him in the office, the guy’s a good fella, a good guy. If he could ever match that intensity with his talent, then he’d be one of the best players in the world.

“On the field, it was something that never worked out. That season was difficult for us. But now I hope he’s got a club, that might be a final chance over in France. But hopefully it can work out for him.”

After an unsuccessful loan spell at his former club Milan last season, Balotelli joined Nice on a free transfer from Liverpool this summer.

The 26-year-old has made a blistering start to life in France, scoring seven goals in his first nine appearances for the Ligue 1 leaders.