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Struggling Super Mario 9-4 to stay with Reds

MARIO BALOTELLI has divided opinion throughout his career and bookmakers are split on the chances of the Italian remaining at Liverpool next season.

The former Inter, Manchester City and Milan striker is still waiting for his first Premier League goal for Liverpool and was substituted at half-time in Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League loss to Real Madrid.

Balotelli angered some, including his boss Brendan Rodgers, for swapping shirts with Pepe at the break and Coral see no way back, offering 9-4 he is still a Liverpool player on the first day of the 2015-16 season.

Bet365 rate Super Mario 5-6 to leave Liverpool before the end of next summer’s transfer window and the same price to remain with the Merseysiders, but Hills go 11-8 Balotelli has departed Anfield by September 1.

Balotelli can be backed at 6-1 with Ladbrokes to exit permanently and the same firm have downgraded his goal expectancy significantly. The 24-year-old is now 6-5 to score nine or more league goals and 8-13 for eight or fewer.

Paddy Power have taken the unusual step of refunding punters who backed Balotelli to win the Golden Boot – he had ranged from 16-1 to 40-1 for the scoring honour when he signed in late August – and the Irish firm have shunted the controversial figure out from 11-10 to 4-1 to score at any time against Hull on Saturday.

Whether Balotelli gets a chance to get on the goal trail remains to be seen and Power are far from convinced Rodgers will stick by his misfiring striker, quoting him at 4-5 to start against the Tigers.

Free agent Victor Valdes, who left Barcelona in the summer, is training with Manchester United as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.

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