Balotelli rules out Liverpool return but admits Arsenal interest

Mario Balotelli says he would never play for Liverpool again if the opportunity ever cropped up again in the future.

The controversial striker, who was released on a free transfer by Reds’ boss Jürgen Klopp in the summer, insists he would never return to Anfield but suggested he would be up for a move to The Emirates.

Balotelli said: “[If I go back to England] for sure not Liverpool because I found myself [playing] very bad in Liverpool.

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“I said the team was good and the fans are amazing but I would never go back to Liverpool.

“The first one I think in England is Manchester City and the second team I always like is Arsenal. That doesn’t mean I’ll go to play there. I just like them.”

The 26-year-old returned from a calf problem to play the first half of Nice’s 2-1 Europa League win over Krasnodar on Thursday having been out for 3 weeks. Prior to that, he’d scored six goals in six Ligue 1 matches and it’s that form which has sparked chatter that he could end up returning to the Premier League.

He added: “Last season I didn’t play a lot, so I couldn’t really score and I was injured, I’ve been out for a long time. So when I was feeling good, I played and I kept scoring.

“I just had some injuries in the past which weren’t a big deal. The problem was they kept coming. So when I feel good, I score.”