Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini admits he did try to prise Fernando Torres away from Liverpool in the summer.
But judging by his impact in Timisoara on Thursday night, Mario Balotelli will prove an adequate alternative to the Spain striker who pledged his future to Merseyside before Mancini could make a serious offer.
Mancini said: "It was difficult for Liverpool to sell Torres because he's such an important player for them. Yes, I think that Balotelli could be as good as Torres and even better than him.
"That's because Torres can only play as a striker. Balotelli can play as a striker and a winger."
