Mario Balotelli's agent believes he has a future at Liverpool
Saturday 2 January 2016 09:46, UK
Mario Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola believes the striker could still have a future at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.
The Italian re-joined AC Milan in August 2015 on a season-long loan, a year after arriving in Liverpool for £16m as part of the plan to replace Luis Suarez.
Balotelli's time at Anfield was a disaster as he managed just one Premier League goal in 16 appearances and former manager Brendan Rodgers deemed him surplus to requirements, allowing him to move back to Serie A.
But when asked if there was a way back for Balotelli at Liverpool, Raiola told Sky Sports News HQ: "Theoretically and by law, yes. He's owned by Liverpool so at the end of the season he should go back to Liverpool."
Raiola also believes the arrival of Klopp as manager offers hope for Balotelli's future at the club.
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"For sure," Raiola said when asked if he planned to speak with Klopp soon regarding Balotelli. "That is part of my job, to speak to all the managers. I know Klopp from [representing] Henrikh Mkhitaryan at Dortmund.
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"If we talk about the quality and the talent Mario has, that is without question.
"Then you also need a manager that believes in you and gives you the chance to prove yourself. We will talk to him when it is time to talk to him."
Balotelli has been restricted to four appearances and one goal for the Rossoneri in Serie A this season and has been out since late September with a troublesome groin injury which required surgery.
Although Raiola is optimistic Balotelli can return to Liverpool in the future, he accepts the forward must first concentrate on getting back on the pitch for Milan and rediscovering the form that once made him one of the most promising young players in world football.
"Whether Klopp has a plan for him or not - I don't know, I haven't spoken to him about this or to Liverpool," Raiola said.
"I think it is too soon. Obviously if Mario does what he has to do, there is maybe another view on him also.
"He had to go away because with Brendan [Rodgers] there was no possibility to develop any more. There was a preconception towards Mario and I think from his private part of life he has proven them wrong.
"But we have to be realistic. He didn't perform well in 2015 and 2016 needs to be his year. That is his challenge."
