Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Snubbed by Milan, Latest Rumours

Liverpool may not be done with Mario Balotelli just yet after recent reports claim the misfiring striker will be sent back to Anfield from his loan spell with AC Milan.

The Serie A side intends to ditch Balotelli at the end of the season, according to Italian source Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Metro's Mark Brus). The reports state drab form is behind the Rossoneri's rejection: "Having scored just one Premier League goal for the Reds in 2014/15, Balotelli has also managed just one for Milan in Serie A this year," wrote Brus.

Balotelli hasn't used a return to Milan to revive a career seemingly permanently stuck in reverse. Few can deny the 25-year-old's awesome natural talent. From a physical point of view, Balotelli has all the attributes he needs to terrorise defences and find the net regularly.

 

Balotelli has struggled for form in Milan and is a poor fit for a new-look Liverpool attack

He's a powerhouse blessed with awesome pace, a strong shot and dominant aerial prowess. Those are the qualities of a true No. 9 and the focal point of a team's attack.

But physical gifts aren't Balotelli's problem. The fact those gifts aren't matched by the temperament to consistently put them to good use on the pitch is why Balotelli's potential remains unfulfilled.

But even if his application—or lack of it—wasn't an issue, Balotelli faces bigger problems regarding a return to England's top flight. His style isn't suited to the fluid, quick-breaking brand of forward play Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp favours.

Balotelli is too similar to Christian Benteke, a physical brute who works best as a target man, hogging central positions and having forward runners play off and around him.

But that leaves Klopp with a dilemma regarding what to do with Balotelli. One possibility could be securing a move to China.

 

Like Benteke, Balotelli isn't suited to Liverpool's style of play under manager Jurgen Klopp.

Back in February, Tony Barrett of the Times reported how "Liverpool are looking to the rapidly expanding Far East market in the hope of attracting a £90 million naming-rights deal for the new main stand at Anfield—and a buyer for Mario Balotelli."

But while Balotelli seems destined for the exit at Anfield, one current player will reportedly earn an extended stay.