Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers' tactics had as much a part to play in Mario Balotelli's failure at Anfield as his own poor form, the striker said as he sealed his return to AC Milan.

Balotelli, 25, has returned to the Rossoneri on a season-long loan from Liverpool, where he scored only one Premier League goal last season after moving from the San Siro for £16 million.

The Italy international told La Gazzetta dello Sport in a lengthy interview published on Thursday that one of the reasons for his struggles was that he did not fit in with Rodgers' style of play, although he has also accepted he was at fault for failing on Merseyside.

"I accept my side of the blame, but Rodgers' tactics were not suited to my characteristics either," Balotelli said. "At the start, I missed a few easy chances, and then I had fewer chances to score, a bit of bad luck and injuries. It was a mess.

"But I never protested. I accepted the coach's decisions and always behaved professionally. My attitude and lifestyle were absolutely normal at Liverpool. There have not been any problems with my private life this last year."

Mario Balotelli arrives at AC Milan headquarters. AP Photo/Luca Bruno

Balotelli insists he is a changed man, amid reports that Milan have laid down some strict rules in his contract regarding his behaviour.

"I have made a promise to myself, to Milan, to [coach Sinisa] Mihajlovic, to [agent Mino] Raiola and to everybody who cares about me," the former Inter and Manchester City forward said. "I'm starting out from scratch.

"I know that I can't get anything wrong anymore. I cannot assume anything and I have to win everything back. I accept any rule and I know I will get a game if I deserve it.

"But it's not as if I've forgotten how to play football. I'm back, full of energy, willingness to work and enthusiasm. My game is not over yet. I feel like somebody who has just played the first half of his career, as a boy. Not everything went well and I wasted plenty of opportunities, but the game is not over yet.

"There is still a second half to be played and I'm going to play it as a man. I know that not many believe I can come back again, but it is my duty to try, and I am certain I will succeed.

"I'm 25 now -- I'm not a kid anymore. I've already thrown away too many chances. And then there is life -- that is something you cannot plan. It's when something unexpected happens that it changes you.

"Those are the situations that mature you -- the joy of realising you are a father, and the pain of losing a father."

Even though there was only a week of the transfer window remaining, Balotelli was always convinced he would find a new club, although he did not expect it would be Milan.

He said: "Mino called me on Saturday morning saying, 'Mario, pack your bags and get a private jet -- you're going to Milan.' I didn't need the private jet because I got on a scheduled flight."