Michael Essien played alongside Balotelli at AC Milan.
Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has said that Mario Balotelli will have a successful career at Liverpool despite a dodgy start to life at Anfield, Talksport reports.
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The Italian front man has only scored one goal in eight games for his new club and was left on the bench for the Reds last match against West Bromwich Albion.
The former Manchester City striker was also dropped from Italy’s squad for their 2016 qualifiers but despite this, Essien still thinks the 24-year-old will come good eventually.
“Mario is a good person,” he said. “We are great friends, we already knew each other before we met at Milan.
“Then he left Milan but I’m sure he will have a great future. He still has to work hard to improve, but he has all the qualities to be a top player.”
Balotelli was brought in to replace Uruguay international Luis Suarez, who moved to Barcelona for £70 million just after the World Cup.
However, the maverick forward has struggled to adapt to Liverpool’s quick style of play and there are already reports that Brendan Rodgers is looking to go back into the transfer market to sign another striker in January.
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