Cape Town - Liverpool, who are on the verge of signing AC Milan star Mario Balotelli, have
warned the Italian striker he must agree to clean up his act before completing
a move to Anfield.
Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre met with Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola on Thursday evening as the Reds looked to secure reassurance that the 24-year-old will behave himself on Merseyside.
According to the Liverpool Echo, there are currently no plans for Balotelli to fly into the UK but the indications are that assurances about his conduct won't be a stumbling block.
The former Manchester City man has a history of disciplinary problems and Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, not wanting to disrupt the team spirit and balance in the Liverpool camp, is making sure Balotelli is willing to buy into the culture of the club before completing the deal.
Clauses in his contract have been put in place in an effort to spell out exactly what is expected of him both on and off the pitch.
Balotelli has infuriated his former bosses at times with a lack of effort in both training and matches and Rodgers has made it clear that simply won’t be tolerated at Anfield.
If Balotelli is to agree to the terms and conditions of his new contract, the Italian will fly to Liverpool for a medical within the next 48 hours, leaving it too late for the striker to be eligible to face his former club when Liverpool take on Manchester City on Monday night.
Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre met with Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola on Thursday evening as the Reds looked to secure reassurance that the 24-year-old will behave himself on Merseyside.
According to the Liverpool Echo, there are currently no plans for Balotelli to fly into the UK but the indications are that assurances about his conduct won't be a stumbling block.
The former Manchester City man has a history of disciplinary problems and Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, not wanting to disrupt the team spirit and balance in the Liverpool camp, is making sure Balotelli is willing to buy into the culture of the club before completing the deal.
Clauses in his contract have been put in place in an effort to spell out exactly what is expected of him both on and off the pitch.
Balotelli has infuriated his former bosses at times with a lack of effort in both training and matches and Rodgers has made it clear that simply won’t be tolerated at Anfield.
If Balotelli is to agree to the terms and conditions of his new contract, the Italian will fly to Liverpool for a medical within the next 48 hours, leaving it too late for the striker to be eligible to face his former club when Liverpool take on Manchester City on Monday night.