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Mario Balotelli has convinced Liverpool he’s fully committed to joining the club by agreeing to take a staggering 50% cut in his basic wage.

The Italian striker, who is on the brink of completing a £16m move from AC Milan, arrived at Melwood on Friday evening after starting his medical in Manchester earlier in the day.

Liverpool is prepared to complete the deal after receiving the assurances they wanted from the 24-year-old regarding his attitude and application.

Balotelli has agreed to a three-year contract which is heavily incentive based.

He will earn around £100,000 per week at Anfield – around half of what he pocketed in Serie A.

(Image: James Maloney)

However, he has the potential to top up his salary to the level he was on at Milan if he triggers a series of performance related and behavioural clauses.

Brendan Rodgers has already gone on the record to say that Balotelli's presence at Anfield won't disrupt Liverpool FC's team ethic.

Balotelli flew into Manchester on Friday after the Reds’ talks with his agent Mino Raiola reached a successful conclusion.

The controversial frontman was met by club medical staff and underwent a series of scans in Manchester before travelling to Melwood to meet Brendan Rodgers for the first time.

His medical will continue on Saturday and the transfer should be rubber-stamped over the weekend.

Balotelli won’t be eligible to play against his former club Manchester City on Monday night but could make his debut away to Tottenham next weekend.

Reports suggesting Liverpool are also on the brink of signing Samuel Eto’o are wide of the mark. The Reds currently have no plans to follow up their initial interest in the 33-year-old free agent.

The arrival of Balotelli could trigger Fabio Borini’s exit from Anfield. The fellow Italian has been stalling over a move to Sunderland for a month.

Liverpool are still keen to pocket the £14million on offer from the Black Cats and Borini has been informed that if he stays he will be fourth choice striker behind Daniel Sturridge, Balotelli and Rickie Lambert.

Balotelli will be the Reds’ ninth signing of the summer and take their spending during this window to around £116m.

They have received around £80million in transfer fees.

Rodgers still wants another keeper before the September 1 deadline as he seeks a shot-stopper to compete with Brad Jones for the role of Simon Mignolet’s deputy.

“We don’t have too much more left to do,” Rodgers said.

“We’ve done the bulk of our work. We always said we were looking for another striker and if we can do a deal we will.

“Come the end of August I’m sure I’ll be really happy with the team and the squad I’ve got.”

Rodgers admitted there are likely to be a number of departures over the coming week.

Jordon Ibe is expected to go out on loan, while Daniel Agger, Oussama Assaidi, Sebastian Coates and Jack Robinson could also move on.

“We have a number of players who will look and see where their opportunities will lie,” he added.

“Every player here now is clear in terms of where I see them either in the squad or not in the squad. Every player understands exactly where they stand here at Liverpool.

“We will see between now and the end of August whether opportunities come for them to move on if they want to do that.”