Mario Balotelli has been branded "ordinary" and a player who has repeatedly wasted great career opportunities by former team-mate Adel Taarabt.

Balotelli has scored only two goals in his 14 appearances for Liverpool, and QPR playmaker Taarabt, who played with him while on loan at AC Milan last season, does not see the Italy international as a top quality forward.

Speaking to Italian TV channel Sky Italia, Taarabt said: "Balotelli? Everyone told me he was amazing and I played with him and I can say he is strong but he didn't seem to me as though he was world class.

"He is an ordinary player, not a phenomenon."

Taarabt added: "He is someone who has a strong shot but he doesn't play for the team. And if he does, he doesn't score as is the case right now at Liverpool.

"He's had so many chances, from (Manchester) City to Milan, and he's thrown them away."