No Balotelli interest as Reds await Reina bid

Brendan Rodgers says Liverpool are not interested in signing Italian international forward Mario Balotelli.

CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, July 27, 2014: Liverpool's manager Brendan Rodgers during the International Champions Cup Group B match against Olympiacos at the Soldier Field Stadium on day seven of the club's USA Tour. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The Reds boss had praised the former Manchester City man ahead of the match against AC Milan on Saturday in Charlotte, fuelling speculation in the media that Liverpool were interested in signing Balotelli as they seek to strengthen their attacking options this summer.

“I can categorically tell you Mario Balotelli will not be at Liverpool,” explained Rodgers.

“He is a wonderful player, but he is an AC Milan player. I just gave my opinion of him, but doesn’t mean I will be signing him.”

Liverpool though quite clearly need to sign a forward, something Rodgers admits is a priority, with only Rickie Lambert available as a recognised first-team centre-forward for the Guinness ICC Final against Man United on Monday due to Daniel Sturridge having flown back to England with a hamstring injury.

Youngster Kristoffer Peterson will be the only forward on the bench.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are yet to receive any bids for Pepe Reina or Lucas Leiva – who are both available at the right price, according to The Telegraph.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 12, 2010: Liverpool's goalkeeper Pepe Reina before the Premiership match against Birmingham City at St Andrews. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The Daily Mail claim Reina is interesting AC Milan, who The Daily Star report the Spanish keeper is asking for his contract to be terminated in order to allow him to leave the club.

Reina hasn’t featured at all during pre-season, and youngster Danny Ward was named on the bench ahead of him against Olympiacos in Chicago last week.

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