Mario Balotelli ‘has played last game for Liverpool’

A combination of their already available strike force of Daniel Sturridge, Christian Benteke, Danny Ings and Divock Origi and Jurgen Klopp’s high-pressure system means there is no place for the 25-year-old at Anfield. Top of Hogan’s agenda was a desire to secure a naming-rights deal for the main stand, which is due to open at the start of next season.

The Reds’ chief commercial officer traveled across Asia over the last week and met with three companies interested in becoming a naming-rights partner with the club.

Liverpool are hoping that the new wave of cash flowing through Chinese football will finally help them offload flop striker Mario Balotelli, according to The Sun.

China is also an “interesting” market in terms of longer-term investment in the club, with enquiries having been made by outside parties about buying a minority stake from Fenway Sports Group.

Having seen the likes of Teixeira, Paris St Germain’s Ezequiel Lavezzi, Atletico Madrid’s Jackson Martinez and Chelsea’s Ramires all complete big-money moves to China in recent weeks it is an avenue which the club could look to explore.

Liverpool are reportedly considering selling Mario Balotelli to a club in the lucrative Chinese Super League.

Balotelli was signed for £16m by Liverpool in 2014 and paid the club back with 28 outings, four goals, a few appearances on Jose Enrique’s Instagram account and multiple images of himself shopping, driving or trying out hover boards in his back garden.