“I would be absolutely amazed if Mario Balotelli was still a Liverpool player on the first day of next season“.
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Balotelli’s future with the Reds had been called into question after being left out of the squad which travelled to the Far East and Australia for the club’s pre-season tour earlier in the summer [via Express Sport].
Liverpool on the other hand are keen to offload the player after his poor first season with the club – one in which he scored just one Premier League goal.
Saturday’s game will also give the fans the opportunity to have a closer look on the new signings with Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Gomez, Danny Ings, Divock Origi and James Milner all set to travel.
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Bologna’s Serie A rivals Sampdoria have been interested in Balotelli in recent weeks.
Rodgers has reportedly banned the player from first team training, along with Fabio Borini and Jose Enrique, and the Italian striker won’t be included in Liverpool’s remaining pre-season games.
A loan move fell apart after they insisted on a significant contribution from Liverpool towards Balotelli’s £80,000 a week wages.
A trio of Italian clubs have emerged as possible destinations for Balotelli.
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They have also made enquiries about Barcelona youngster Adama Traore, with the exciting 19-year-old prospect potentially available on a year-long loan deal, after Barca’s B team were relegated.
