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The 25-year-old has endured a difficult two years since moving to Anfield in 2014.

And he has been heavily linked with a summer switch.

This week Balotelli's Italy international team-mate Andrea Pirlo had his say on his career so far.

"He frustrates me, but I do have so much affection for Mario," Pirlo told the Daily Mirror.

"He has played for so many big clubs, it’s easy to forget he’s only 25.

"He still has time to make it at the very top. He needs to pick his next club carefully.

"I have read things about him and China. With all respect to their league, Mario should not be going there yet.

"If he has two or three good seasons at his next club, he will still only be 28 and could join one of the top clubs in Europe.

"I don’t have any advice for him anymore, he knows the qualities that he has. From this point, it’s up to Mario."

And Balotelli has clearly taken Pirlo's words to heart.

“Thank you for the nice words," Balotelli wrote on Instagram.

“To hear that from such a super champion and above all a man like you makes me happy and has recharged me.

"Thank you Andrea.”

Balotelli was omitted from Jurgen Klopp's squad which sealed a 2-0 friendly win over Huddersfield on Wednesday night.