Balotelli staying with Liverpool - agent

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli will remain at the club next season, according to his agent Mino Raiola.

The Italy international's first season after a £16million move from AC Milan was a flop with just four goals - only one of which came in the Premier League - and he was top of a list of names the club reportedly wanted to offload this summer.

However, Raiola insists the 24-year-old is staying where he is.

"We have talks with Liverpool and he will stay," he told Sky Sports.

"I spoke many times with the club and they were happy with his input as a professional."

Asked whether the striker and manager Brendan Rodgers had adapted to each other over the course of the season, Raiola added: "I think Mario did, I cannot talk for Brendan Rodgers.

"Obviously we're pretty confident it'll happen next year."