Mario Balotelli is set for a surprise Liverpool return

It looks as though Mario Balotelli will be back at Anfield next season, but not for the reasons he might have hoped.

The on-loan striker has struggled to make an impact at former club AC Milan, and the Italian media expect the 25-year-old not to make his move permanent. Balotelli has played just 10 times for Milan (three starts and seven sub appearances), scoring twice, and CalcioMercato claim Rossoneri boss Sinisa Mihajlovic has made his mind up to let the player leave. The forward has suffered injury troubles since making the loan move in August, but managed 45 minutes in the weekend's draw with Udinese. Balotelli still has one year remaining on his Liverpool contract after this season, though it is unclear whether or not Jurgen Klopp sees him as part of the club's long-term future.