Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli used an interesting method to stop questions from journalists in his native Italy after claiming to no longer speak Italian.

Balotelli, who was born in Italy and plays for the national team, was in his homeland to watch his brother Enoch feature in an exhibition game when reporters approached the Reds forward.

After being asked to speak about his sibling's abilities, Balotelli is believed to have replied in Italian saying: "Beware, I do not speak Italian any more."

The 24-year-old's response seemed to do the trick as it stopped the interview in its tracks.

Balotelli will return to Liverpool after the summer break in the hope of improving his goal tally of just four strikes in all competitions for the Reds last season.

The Italy international has disappointed since arriving on Merseyside in a £16million deal from AC Milan last year.

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But despite his slow start to life at Anfield, his agent Mino Raiola insisted in May that the striker would not be leaving the club this summer.