SUAREZ WARY OF BALOTELLI

Liverpool’s Luis Suarez says that he is wary of the threat posed by AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli and the upcoming World Cup 2014. Balotelli will be representing the Italian national team, while Suarez will be spearheading the attack of Uruguayan national team.

Both are in the same group along with the likes of Costa Rica and England. However, it is Uruguay and Italy who are the favourites to progress to the knockout stages. Italy have done exceedingly well in recent major tournaments after reaching the finals of the recent European championships.

Balotelli was a major reason towards this success, as the former Manchester City striker has been able to show a lot of maturity on the pitch unlike in the past. Cesare Prandelli has been able to get the best out of him at the national level. He is already regarded as one of the players to watch at the World Cup and Suarez has raised the tension by saying that the 24-year-old could hurt Uruguay’s chances of qualification from the group. Uruguay’s first match of the tournament will be against Costa Rica.

They do not face Italy until the final group match, which could be a do or die match for both teams if England do well. Suarez has been in impressive form scoring more than 30 goals already this campaign.

"Italy's backbone is of a sublime level. A line with Buffon, Chiellini, Pirlo and Balotelli has few equals in the world. I played against Balotelli when he was at [Manchester] City. Mario has an incredible talent, he should exploit it more. I remember some games in the Premier League, like the 6-1 at Old Trafford, he was fantastic," said the 26-year-old, who is favourite to win the PFA awards this campaign. Balotelli, meanwhile, has 14 goals from 28 matches for AC Milan.