MILAN — Cast aside by Liverpool after a miserable year, Mario Balotelli is returning to AC Milan knowing he has much to prove.

Liverpool is sending Balotelli on loan to Milan after seeing the maverick striker score only one Premier League goal in the year since he joined from the Italian club for 16 million pounds (then $27 million).

The 25-year-old Italian completed his medical examination Tuesday ahead of a season-long loan being completed.

Balotelli said on Milan’s website: "I just need to train and show what I can contribute … I need to work hard and talk less."

Balotelli hasn’t featured in a competitive game for four months, having quickly fallen out of favour on his return to England where he played for Manchester City for three chaotic years until 2013.