Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has insisted that the Italian striker Mario Balotelli is free to leave the Anfield this summer.

The 24-year-old controversial striker joined the Reds from AC Milan last year but struggled during his first season at the Merseyside club, scoring just one Premier League goal in 16 starts.

He has been linked with a move back to his former club Inter Milan, but the Serie A outfit have reportedly rejected the opportunity to take him on loan.

“Mario has not come on tour but he is training hard with other players at Melwood,” Rodgers told The Telegraph.

“It is up to Mario (whether he will be a Liverpool player) next season. We’ll see when the season begins.”

Balotelli was axed from Red’s pre-season tour of Australia and south east Asia.

Liverpool have already acquired the services of forwards with the likes of Danny Ings and Roberto Firmino this summer, while a £32.5m deal for Christian Benteke from Aston Villa is expected to go through in the next coming hours.