The striker is on the verge of joining the Reds.
SEE ALSO: Mario Balotelli Liverpool update.
As BBC Sport reports Liverpool have entered talks with AC Milan over the transfer of striker Mario Balotelli, with the fee thought to be in the region of £16m.
The 24-year-old would become Brendan Rodgers’ ninth new signing of the summer and would take their spending close to £120m.
Here are five reasons why CaughtOffside thinks Balotelli would be a great buy for the Reds.
1. Premier League and Champions League experience
Having spent two-and-a-half years with Manchester City and time with Inter Milan and La Rossoneri either side of the Citizens, the forward has huge amounts of experience despite his relatively young age.
Although the period Balotelli spent at the Etihad Stadium was often controversial, 20 league goals in 54 appearances for City is not a bad record and he also helped them to their first title since 42 years in 2012.
Also with the Merseysiders returning to the Champions League this season after a five year absence the 29 games the Italy international has played in the competition could be invaluable.
2. Goal-scoring record
Since bursting onto the scene with Inter in 2006 the attacker has been consistent in front of goal, scoring 101 times in his career so far including 13 efforts for his country.
Balotelli’s goal to game ratio has gotten better as he has progressed as well, with 28 in 86 for La Nerazzurri, then 30 in 80 for City and currently 30 in 54 for Milan.
Replacing the form that Luis Suarez brought to Rodgers’ team is going to be the difficulty this term and maybe the Italian will be the man to do that.
3. Bolstering a weak attack
On the subject of Suarez’s £75m departure to FC Barcelona the loss of the Uruguayan has understandably weakened the Merseyside outfit and as yet the problem has not been solved.
Daniel Sturridge is of course a top striker and with 21 league goals last campaign will be expected to perform similarly this time around.
However, the backup of £4m purchase Rickie Lambert and the unwanted Fabio Borini is hardly inspiring and signing Balotelli would help take some of the pressure off Sturridge’s shoulders.
4. Technically gifted
The thing that has arguably been holding Balotelli back in his career so far has certainly not been the ability the forward possesses.
It has perhaps been more to do with his temperament, but if that can be addressed the combination of speed and power makes the Milan ace a formidable opponent.
Balotelli has often led the line for both his clubs and Italy and as a result has developed into a dominant figure in the No.9 position.
5. Rodgers gets the best out of players
If there is any manager who can shackle the controversial behaviour of Balotelli then it is the Northern Irishman, who has proven again and again what a fine coach he is.
Take Suarez for example, who was guided through a turbulent period in 2013 after a biting ban to score 31 goals in 2013/14 and win the PFA Player of the Year award.
Although less about his temperament, Rodgers has also nurtured Sturridge’s raw talent to make him a top-class scorer with 36 goals in 49 games for the Reds to date.
SEE ALSO: best Premier League players 2014/15