Balotelli future is in his own hands - Rodgers

The Italy international endured a torrid debut season at Liverpool, scoring just four goals in all competitions, and has been told that he can decide his next career move

Brendan Rodgers says that Mario Balotelli has his Liverpool future in his own hands after he was left out of the club’s pre-season tour squad.

The Reds are currently preparing for the 2015-16 season in the Far East and will face a Malaysia XI on Friday, though Balotelli has been left at Melwood.

Liverpool have already acquired Danny Ings and welcomed Divock Origi back from his loan spell at Lille this summer, while Goal understands that the Reds have launched a £32.5 million bid for Christian Benteke.

Such competition has left Balotelli’s future up in the air, and Rodgers admits he will leave it up to the Italy international - who scored just four goals in all competitions last season - to decide whether he wants to leave the club.

“Mario is obviously not on tour but working hard and training well with a number of other players at Melwood,” Rodgers told reporters.

When asked where Balotelli’s future lies, he responded: “I’m not sure, that will entirely be up to Mario.

“He is working hard to get fit and we will see when the season begins.”

Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has expressed his desire to sign Balotelli, but says the firebrand striker will have to take a pay cut to join his club.