Liverpool future could be bright for Balotelli – Agent

Mario Balotelli: Besiktas-bound?

Mario Balotelli: Besiktas-bound?

Mario Balotelli’s agent believes the striker could return to Liverpool and thrive under new boss Jurgen Klopp.

The Italy international was shipped out to AC Milan on a season-long loan at the start of the season after failing to impress Brendan Rodgers after arriving from Milan for £16million in August 2014.

Mino Raiola claims Rodgers had a “preconception” towards Balotelli, who scored just one goal in 16 Premier League games.

Raiola, speaking to Sky, says that he will hold talks with Klopp over Balotelli’s future in the summer.

“That is part of my job, to speak to all the managers,” Raiola said. “I know Klopp from (representing) Henrikh Mkhitaryan at Dortmund.

“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.

“Whether Klopp has a plan for him or not – I don’t know, I haven’t spoken to him about this or to Liverpool. 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 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.”