Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers issues STRONG warning to Balotelli before signing him for £16m

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has completed medicals for his proposed £16m move to Liverpool but he now has to sign a contract with some strong clauses to put his on-field and off-field behavior under control.

Coach Brendan Rodgers who place huge emphases in signing the right characters and players who will adhere to his elite performance standards at all times, wants assurances from Balotelli about his commitment to training and off-the-field discipline.


To that end, Liverpool’s contract offer to Balotelli is expected to include. Only if Balotelli agrees to the contract’s clauses on conduct and behaviour that exceed standard practice as well as Rodgers’ requirements will the £120,000 a week deal be done.

Twenty-four year old Balotelli is a controversial figure both on and off the pitch, but the Liverpool boss insists that any player he signs will not be a unruly influence.

His words: "We have quite an extensive code of conduct for players and staff. There is no specific one for any one individual. This isn't like many clubs. Liverpool is a club that is a real strong family football club, with values and ethics that run over many years.

"I, as the manager, will fight to protect that always, so no matter which players or professionals are at the club, they will abide by that. But we understand that sometimes you have to take a risk with people. And a lot of the time, if you take that risk you can get a reward for it."

Balotelli was sent off four times during his two-and-a-half seasons at Manchester City. He once threatened legal action after being fined two weeks’ wages for missing 11 games through suspension while at the Etihad Stadium.