Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Exit Predicted by Phil Thompson

Decorated former Liverpool centre-back Phil Thompson believes Mario Balotelli's Anfield career is already coming to an end. Thompson has predicted the controversial and temperamental Italy international will be sold this month.

That would bring a hasty, but probably not unwelcome, end to a club-player union that only started last summer. The Reds paid £16 million to pluck Balotelli from Serie A side AC Milan to offset the loss of Luis Suarez.

But Thompson thinks Liverpool will write that off if interested parties come forward. He made his comments during an appearance on The Morning View (h/t Sky Sports):

"

We still need another striker. If you pin me down regarding Balotelli, he’s been in and out of squads - sometimes not even making the substitutes' bench.

To me, I would think if there’s an offer there for him from another club, then they will take it, as long as Sturridge is ready to come back.

"

The point about Sturridge is well-taken given the forward's long-term injury woes this season. The lightning-fast England international has been a massive loss for Liverpool.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Certainly, neither Balotelli nor Rickie Lambert have been able to pick up the slack in front of goal, although the latter did score in Liverpool's recent 2-0 away win over Aston Villa.

But while little was expected from ex-Southampton man Lambert when he joined for around £4 million in the summer, there were high expectations for Balotelli. That's understandable considering that, on his day, the pacy powerhouse is too much for most defences.

However, all Liverpool have gotten is two goals and 11 starts in all competitions, per WhoScored.com. Of course, the Reds have also had to endure the customary questions about Balotelli's commitment.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Back in October, ESPN FC writer Ian Darke suggested Balotelli's general lack of application had angered other Liverpool players. By mid-December MailOnline writer Ian Ladyman was reporting manager Brendan Rodgers had doubts about Balotelli's technical capability.

Liverpool clearly need to sell, but in this context, who's going to make the offer Thompson talked about? It seems Italy's Serie A is already growing frosty at the prospect of the 24-year-old striker's return.

His ex-Milan boss and current Juventus gaffer Massimiliano Allegri won't bid, according to Tuttosport (h/t ESPN FC reporter Selene Scarsi). Balotelli may not have helped his chances of a quick exit by turning down a six-month loan deal to join Parma, per Daily Express writer Charles Perrin.

With so much baggage and no breathtaking displays of talent to offset the issues, Liverpool may want to sell Balotelli this month but could find themselves stuck with him a little while longer.