Liverpool transfer news: The unpredictable Mario Balotelli makes his Anfield return

Mario Balotelli is set to return to Liverpool after AC Milan confirmed they won’t be signing the volatile striker on a permanent basis.

After struggling to impress at the start of the season, the Italian was loaned out to the Rossoneri but has similarly failed to make his mark at the San Siro.

The 25-year-old moved to Italy after his slow start to the 2015/16 season and as a consequence never had the chance to meet Jurgen Klopp who joined in October 2015.

The two are expected to meet for the first time when pre-season training at Melwood commences on Saturday.

So what does the future hold in store for Balotelli? A swift exit most likely. The forward admitted last April that he “wasn’t happy” at Anfield and “did not want to return”. One can only assume that the Liverpool hierarchy share the same views.

Balotelli doesn’t exactly have the best of records at Liverpool having embroiled the club in a number of controversial incidents which simply confirmed his reputation as one of the game’s most ill-disciplined and unpredictable characters.

After signing for £16m in August 2014, to replace an outbound Luis Suarez, it didn’t take Balotelli long to provoke the club. In Liverpool’s Champions League fixture against Real Madrid in late October, Balotelli was openly criticised by manager Brendan Rodgers for swapping shirts with opponent Pepe at half time.

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Barely two months later and the Italian was slapped with a £25,000 fine and a one-match ban for posting an image on social media which appeared to contain anti-Semitic and racist references.

Both on and off the pitch the player floundered. It took him until February 2015 to grab his first Premier League goal and by the season’s end he had managed only four goals from 28 appearances. While the man himself may not fancy a return to Merseyside, it’s safe to say the fans won’t be particularly encouraged by the prospect of it either.

Realistically the club simply has no need for him. With the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Danny Ings, and Roberto Firmino leading the front line for the Reds, with new-signing Sadio Mane capable of providing further attacking force, Balotelli is now surplus to requirements at Anfield.

As a player who is too incompatible with Jurgen Klopp’s philosophy of football, the Liverpool manager will be keen to offload him. There have already been inquiries from the Chinese Super League. With its excessive wealth and questionable taste in overrated Premier League throw-outs – just think Tottenham’s Paulinho or Manchester City’s Jo – it’s likely Balotelli would fit right in.

China isn’t the only potential exit-route on offer. Clubs in Turkey are also alleged to have expressed a firm interest in the troubled striker and agent Mino Raiola has already begun sounding out suitors.

As an individual whose behaviour and reckless antics have often detracted from his ability as a player, Klopp won’t be taking any risks. Like the proverbial hot potato, it’s time Liverpool passed on the Italian hothead to his next unfortunate victim.