Essien insists Balotelli has 'great' Liverpool future

Mario Balotelli has a great future at Liverpool, according to former team-mate Michael Essien.

The Reds signed the former Manchester City man in the summer for £16m but he has not made the electrifying start to his Anfield career that manager Brendan Rodgers would have hoped for.

The erratic forward was dropped for the match against West Brom before the international break, with Rickie Lambert replacing him, and was subsequently left out of Italy’s squad for their two recent Euro 2016 qualifiers.

The struggling striker has started four Premier League matches so far this season and has been subbed in all but one and is yet to score a league goal.

But former Chelsea man Essien, who played alongside Balotelli at AC Milan, is sure he will come good eventually.

“Mario is a good person,” he said. “We are great friends, we already knew each other before we met at Milan.

“Then he left Milan but I’m sure he will have a great future. He still has to work hard to improve, but he has all the qualities to be a top player.”