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Mario Balotelli: Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre reveals fewer than 1,000 replica Balotelli shirts were bought on day he signed

Would a 'Why Always Me? shirt have sold better?

James Orr
Wednesday 10 September 2014 14:19 EDT
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Mario Balotelli in action during his Liverpool debut against Tottenham
Mario Balotelli in action during his Liverpool debut against Tottenham (GETTY IMAGES)

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He was billed as Liverpool's marquee signing this summer, but the club sold fewer than 1,000 Mario Balotelli replica shirts on the day he signed for the Merseyside club for £16m from AC Milan last month.

The Reds' CEO, Ian Ayre, revealed the figure at the Soccerex conference in Manchester today, speaking at a seminar.

Maybe the Liverpool supporters are just taking bit of time to warm to the maverick Italian striker.

A replica Reds' shirt costs £49.99, and to get 'Balotelli 45' branded across the back is an extra £15.

In contrast, it had been reported that Real Madrid shifted 345,000 James Rodriguez shirts in the 48 hours after his £63m move from Monaco, but manufacturers adidas said that those figures were exagerrated.

Balotelli made his Liverpool debut against Tottenham in the 3-0 win last month, and is expected to make his Anfield bow for the club against Aston Villa on Saturday.

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