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Former Swansea striker Ian Walsh says Liverpool made a "big mistake" signing Mario Balotelli instead of Swans striker Wilfried Bony in the summer.

Brendan Rodgers' side were strongly linked with the Ivorian before buying Balotelli for £16m from AC Milan.

The Italian forward, 24, has struggled to settle at Anfield and has yet to score in the Premier League.

"It's a big mistake. Bony is on the upward trend and for me there would only be one choice," said Walsh.

"Balotelli has been there, seen it, done it, [but] is he on the downward path now in terms of enthusiasm for the game?

"Bony has adjusted to this level [and] still has the desire to score goals."

Balotelli helped Manchester City win the Premier League title during his last spell in English football, but has often courted controversy.

He infuriated Rodgers when he swapped shirts with Real Madrid's Pepe at half-time of their 3-0 Champions League loss last week.

The striker was substituted at the break, though he could play against Swansea in the League Cup at Anfield on Tuesday.

Bony, in contrast, scored twice to help Swansea beat Leicester 2-0 on Saturday, ending a five-match winless Premier League run.

The 25-year-old signed for £12m from Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem in the summer of 2013 and scored 25 goals in his first season for the Welsh club.

He has now struck 20 goals in 34 Premier League starts and also shone during Ivory Coast's World Cup campaign, scoring twice.

"They are both quality players but Wilfried Bony has shown his character," said Walsh.

"The biggest part of his game is not his skill or his finishing ability, but his want.

"His desire to be in the right place at the right time and to keep scoring goals."