Jurgen Klopp doesn’t want Mario Balotelli hanging around at Liverpool.
He’s made that abundantly clear.
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Balotelli, 25, signed for Liverpool from AC Milan in 2014 but has scored just four goals in 28 appearances for the Reds.
The former Manchester City striker was loaned back to Milan for last but scored just three times in 23 appearances and failed to make Italy’s EURO 2016 squad. He now he finds himself back at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground during preseason but has Daniel Sturridge, Christian Benteke, Divock Origi and Danny Ings to compete with.
Speaking to reporters, Klopp confirmed he has made the situation crystal clear to Balotelli: find a new club.
From the “Why Always Me?” shirt to setting off fireworks in his house, fighting with managers and teammates to taking selfies with pitch invaders and riding a segway around shopping malls, Balotelli is an eccentric character who is brilliant when focused and on his game but so often he is not.
Brendan Rodgers admitted it was a risk to sign him in 2014 for $23 million and although he started his Liverpool career by working hard for the team, similar signs began to show of Balotelli losing focus.
His contract runs out in July 2017, so the end of this season, and a few clubs have already shown interest in taking him on loan. Serie A sides Sampdoria and Sassuolo have said they will offer the Italian international a chance to regain his form but will Balotelli ever get a chance back in the Premier League?
Perhaps a PL club like Crystal Palace, Sunderland or Hull City would take a punt on “Super Mario” but then again, probably not.
For now, it seems as though Balotelli has played his last game in England unless someone throws him a lifeline.
