LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 25, 2014: Liverpool's manager Brendan Rodgers and Mario Balotelli against Hull City during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Rumour Mill: Mario Balotelli ‘linked’ with Olympiacos loan move

Mario Balotelli is rumoured to be moving away from Anfield this month, but the chances of it actually happening appear very slim.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 22, 2014: Liverpool's Mario Balotelli in action against Real Madrid CF during the UEFA Champions League Group B match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

According to the Express (via Tuttomercatoweb), who have a history of printing some fairly tenuous rumours, the 24-year-old will join Olympiacos on loan before the end of the current transfer window.

There’s also much speculation regarding transfer news linking strikers to Liverpool with the Reds goal-shy for much of the season so far.

While Balotelli’s time on Merseyside has been one of extreme disappointment to date, with the former Manchester City man scoring just twice in 17 appearances since joining for £16m from AC Milan, he would surely not be sold given Liverpool’s lack of depth in attack.

With Daniel Sturridge injured – his imminent return doesn’t guarantee he will come back fit and firing straight away – and Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini short of ability at the very top level, Balotelli remains a key part of the squad.

His late cameo against AFC Wimbledon may not have set the world alight, but he still did more in a few minutes than Lambert did in almost 80. He doesn’t justify a starting berth week in, week out, but he is worth persevering with.

It could certainly be argued that the controversial striker may leave Anfield come the summer, especially if his form doesn’t improve, but a January move away makes little sense unless Brendan Rodgers has someone else lined up.