Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes forward Mario Balotelli should leave the club in order to find regular first-team football.

The Italy international moved to Anfield from AC Milan in the summer of 2014 but has struggled to settle on Merseyside, scoring just one goal in 16 Premier League appearances during the 2014-15 campaign, before spending last season back on loan at the Rossoneri.

The 25-year-old only scored three goals during his temporary switch back to Milan and he has now returned to Liverpool for pre-season training.

The frontman appears to be behind Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Christian Benteke and Danny Ings in the pecking order at Anfield and Klopp believes the former Manchester City player should leave the club to further his career.

“I have spoken to him about this,” said Klopp. “He’s not at the stage of his career where he should be battling with four or five other players for one or two positions… so it’s clear we need a solution.”

The German believes plenty of clubs would be interested in signing Balotelli, who has scored 13 goals in 33 international appearances for Italy, although he has not featured for the Azzurri since the 2014 World Cup.

Klopp added: “There will be a club around who would be happy to have the new Mario Balotelli.

I have spoken clearly to the player about that.” Liverpool start the new Premier League campaign with an away match against Arsenal on August 14.

The Reds are available at 3.75 to begin the new season with a victory, while the Gunners are on offer at 1.91 and the draw is priced at 3.50.