Brendan Rodgers has told talkSPORT Mario Balotelli was ‘absolutely spot on’ to describe their relationship at Liverpool as a ‘disaster’.

The Italian criticised his former Reds boss in a recent interview, claiming he was the worst coach he had played for and their time together at Anfield was the ‘biggest disappointment’ of his career.

Balotelli scored just one Premier League goal for Liverpool under Rodgers after being signed for £16million in the summer of 2014.

When asked on talkSPORT about the outspoken striker’s jibe, Rodgers, now in charge of Celtic, laughed: “He was probably absolutely spot on to be fair!

“I just couldn’t really connect with Mario. He was one that came in very late in the window for us. We had lost Luis [Suarez] and it was a gamble taken from a club perspective.

“It was one where, he’s a big talent, and we thought, well, can he come in and develop – he’s got all the tools.

“In all fairness, I just found it very difficult to connect with Mario. On the field, he tried his best. It certainly wasn’t something that worked out as everyone have would liked.”

Balotelli left Liverpool in the summer to join Nice and Rodgers wishes him well at the French club, despite his recent outburst.

“When you sit with him in the office, he is actually a good fella, a good guy,” he said.

“It is just translating it from there and putting it on the training field. That is something that has been difficult throughout his career.

“If he could ever just match that intensity with his talent, then he would no doubt be one of the best players in the world.

“He’s probably now got a final chance over in France and hopefully he can work at the talent he has, because he is a huge talent.”