Brendan Rodgers has excluded Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and José Enrique from Liverpool’s final pre-season friendlies in another attempt to push them towards the exit door.
All three were omitted from Liverpool’s recent tour of the Far East and Australia as Rodgers looks to trim his squad following the arrival of seven players this summer. They have also been left out of the squad for Saturday’s final senior friendly at HJK Helsinki, plus a game on Sunday against Swindon Town which is expected to feature the club’s younger players. It is also understood Balotelli, Borini and Enrique have trained separately from the first team at times this week.
Bologna and Sampdoria have both stated interest in taking Balotelli back to Italy but the striker’s agent, Mino Raiola, has claimed the 24-year-old has no desire to leave Liverpool after only one season. The sentiment is not shared by the club.
Rodgers has named a strong squad for the Helsinki trip although has yet to confirm whether the new signings Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino will travel. A late decision will be taken on the pair before Liverpool depart on Friday.
