Mario Balotelli during a Liverpool training session
Mario Balotellli's career in Liverpool may just be over.
The Italy international player, Mario, was sent a brutally clear message by boss Brendan Rodgers on Thursday night, July 30, when he was left out of both Liverpool squads that will play the final preparation games before the start of the new season.
According to UK Mirror, Rodgers has selected a strong unit to travel to Finland at the weekend, where the Reds will face HJK Helsinki as the final fixture in the club’s pre-season tour.
Balotelli wasn’t expected to be part of that tour squad after being left at home when the team flew out to Australia for a series of build-up fixtures, but the major surprise came when he was also ignored for a low-key game at Swindon.
Liverpool have elected to give their second string players a run out at the County Ground on Sunday, and Rodgers will also decide whether to give new signings Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke a first run out.
Balotelli, Borini and Enrique were also excluded from training with the first-team squad this week.