IS IT just me or does anybody else think that Mario Balotelli is getting a bit of a raw deal at the moment?

The Liverpool striker has come in for all sorts of criticism in recent days and I have to admit it all seems a bit unjust.

While Balotelli is far from the model footballer given some of his antics in the past — fireworks out of the bathroom window anyone? — his current misdemeanours are hardly in that league.

His decision to swap shirts with Real Madrid rival Pepe at half time during Liverpool’s 3-0 Champions League defeat caused the sort of media rumpus usually reserved for Luis Suarez when he is biting opponents.

It should not be forgotten that Pepe made the initial approach to Balotelli.

While the Italian was perhaps misguided in accepting the player’s invitation, to make him some sort of footballing pariah seems to be way over the top.

On Tuesday, he was again in the headlines for allegedly using threatening behaviour towards a girl who was taking photos of his Ferrari.

I’m not sure I’d take too kindly to someone taking pictures of my car either, even if it is only a Ford Fiesta.

Not surprisingly, no charges were brought, after another non-event.

In all of this, the only reason the incidents have gained exposure is because it is Balotelli. Most players would have escaped such scrutiny.

The Italian is not everyone’s cup of tea but he is here to score goals for Liverpool, something he has so far struggled to do.

He should be judged on that, not used as an easy target to deflect criticism from Liverpool’s porous defence.

No wonder he wore the T-shirt asking “why always me?”