Report: Klopp wants this man in pre-season training for Liverpool

Mario Balotelli in the 2014 Italy Home Kit that features PUMA's PWR ACTV Technology

The curious case of Mario Balotelli looks set for another twist with reports in Italy that Jurgen Klopp expects the player back at Melwood for pre-season training.

Respected Italian media outlet, Gazzetta reckons:

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has decided to call the forward for the club’s pre-season training, but the player’s agent Mino Raiola may still push for an exit this summer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF1SCmDh1oE

Balo has been on loan at AC Milan for the past season but injury restricted him to 23 games and 3 goals last term and Milan aren’t keen to make the deal permanent.

The Italian’s poor form has been reflected in his absence from the EURO 2016 squad and, in TFF’s view, he isn’t even that close to the top 23 players in Italy right now.

Still, incredibly, only 25 Mario Balotelli played 28 times for Liverpool and scored 4 goals but he wasn’t a fan favourite and is perceived by some as a rather statuesque player despite his pace and power.

It’s difficult to envisage where next for the talented yet mercurial Italian. He is a world-beater on his day and Klopp may fancy another look at him at close quarters at Liverpool but if his top level career isn’t to effectively peter out in China or America then he will need to turn a corner and fast.

Liverpool have a decent complement of forwards at present but only Christian Benteke is an out-and-out number 9 and his future at Liverpool also looks highly uncertain.

Jurgen Klopp seems to like more interchangeable players up front with the likes of Coutinho, Sturridge, Firmino, Lallana and Divock Origi featuring more prominently last season than Benteke.