Brendan Rodgers Hopes Liverpool Will be Rewarded for Taking Mario Balotelli Risk

Brendan Rodgers has refused to discuss Mario Balotelli's proposed move to Liverpool but strongly hinted the club are ready to take a risk on the controversial striker.

AC Milan confirmed on Thursday 21 August that they were in talks with the Merseyside club over the Italian's sale, prompting suggestions he had travelled to Merseyside on Friday afternoon to undergo a medical.

In a press conference ahead of the Premier League meeting with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on 25 August, the Reds boss reiterated the club were on the lookout for another striker but stopped short of discussing Balotelli's seemingly imminent arrival.

"I can categorically tell you that I can't speak about Mario Balotelli or any players until we sign them," Rodgers told reporters.

But amid suggestions on Friday morning the club would seek assurances over the former Manchester City striker's future conduct, Rodgers teased the club would reap the benefits of handing one of the game's most controversial characters a fresh opportunity on these shores.

"Sometimes you have to take a risk with people, but a lot of the time if you take that risk you get a reward for it," he said.

"It's not easy finding new players as there's a small pool of players we could actually buy. But a lot of good work is going on."

Liverpool have made nine additions to their squad this summer – including the arrival of youngster Kevin Stewart from Tottenham Hotspur.

Of those, Javi Manquillo, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert made their competitive debuts against Southampton last Saturday but the visit to the Etihad on Monday could give £20m signing Lazar Markovic his chance to make his Premier League bow.

"Lazar Markovic is back in the squad for Monday," said Rodgers. "Adam Lallana is in the latter stages of his rehabilitation. Adam Lallana will train with the team on Sunday. We've now got to get him up to match speed. We'll see how Jose Enrique does, Daniel Agger and Jon Flanagan are still out."