Jurgen Klopp leaves Mario Balotelli in no doubts about Liverpool future

Thanks for the mostly awful memories.

So that's that. There may be a 'new Mario Balotelli' but he won't be playing at Anfield next season. The Liverpool boss spoke to the press after his side's 1-0 preseason win over Tranmere. If Balotelli had any ambitions of a successful Reds comeback [he has two years left on his contract], he can start making other plans. Right now, according to Klopp, Balotelli is behind Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Danny Ings and Crystal Palace-linked Christian Benteke in the pecking order. Klopp told The Guardian:

"I have spoken to him about this. He's not at the stage of his career where he should be battling with four or five other players for one or two positions… so it’s clear we need a solution. "There will be a club around who would be happy to have the new Mario Balotelli. I have spoken clearly to the player about that."

So far, the only 'club around' that have expressed an interest in Balotelli has been Sampdoria. The 26-year-old played on loan with Milan last season but scored just three goals in 23 games. In a recent interview with Corriere della Sera, Balotelli had lofty ambitions. He declared:

"I know people will laugh when I say I want the Ballon d’Or. I have not done everything needed to become the best."

He certainly has not, in recent years, but there is plenty of time to get his career back on track... at a club around.