Queens Park Rangers midfielder Adel Taarabt has labelled former teammate Mario Balotelli an "ordinary player".

The two controversial attackers played together at AC Milan last season, with 25-year-old Taarabt saying that the new Liverpool striker is not a world-class frontman.

"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," Taarabt told Sky Sport Italia.

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

Balotelli has found his return to the Premier League tough going since his arrival in the summer, with the forward yet to score a goal in the English top flight this campaign.