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Jurgen Klopp has told Mario Balotelli that he has to leave Liverpool this summer in order to revive his career.

The Reds boss informed the Italian striker during a heart-to-heart discussion at Melwood that he doesn’t feature in his plans for the coming season.

Klopp insists he’s had no issues with the controversial frontman since he returned from a season-long loan at AC Milan.

However, with Balotelli a long way down the pecking order, the German coach says there is no point in him sticking around as a squad player.

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“It’s not the moment to talk of possible transfers because I have no answers and it could kill all talks by saying someone was 70% to sign him or whatever,” Klopp said.

“But I can talk of Mario because that one is obvious. I heard a lot about him ever since I came here.

“I actually played a game against him and he scored a goal – a penalty that wasn’t a penalty by the way!

“But since he has been back here, he’s been a good guy and I can’t say anything different than that. It’s not that he’s come back and said: ‘who's the boss, I’m the boss, no sorry it’s you’. It’s not been that at all.

“Everything’s been good, it’s all okay. And now he’s here, we will do everything we can to get him fit.

“Then it will not be a situation for Mario – and I have spoken to him about this. He’s not at the stage of his career where he should be battling with four or five other players for one or two positions.”

Balotelli has 12 months remaining on the three-year contract he penned when he arrived from AC Milan for £16million in August 2014.

The 25-year-old scored just four goals in 28 appearances for the Reds before being packed off to Milan last season.

The £90,000 per week striker underwent groin surgery during another underwhelming campaign – netting just three goals in 23 outings.

Fenerbahce and Sampdoria are among those clubs to have shown an interest in him this summer but Liverpool haven’t had any firm offers.

The Reds are keen to off-load him permanently but might have to settle for another loan spell.

Balotelli wasn’t selected for last week’s opening friendly against Tranmere Rovers and won’t be considered for Wednesday night’s trip to Fleetwood Town.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Klopp’s frontline attackers this season will be Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Danny Ings, Roberto Firmino and £30million signing Sadio Mane.

“We want Mario to become the player he was before his injury. The talent is still there - no doubt about it,” Klopp added.

“When we have done the crossing, heading and stuff (in training), he’s been world class.

“But this is not a situation where he should be battling with other players like this for one position so it’s clear we need a solution.

“There will be a club around who would be happy to have a new Mario Balotelli if you like.

“I have spoken clearly to the player about that. I know we can’t talk about a lot of things because one agent says ‘we want to stay’, and another says ‘we have had 10 offers so we have to leave’.

“But in this case it’s obvious. It’s now time to make decisions and I try to help Mario to get in the best shape he can be in and we will see what happens.”