Many fans were excited when they heard that Mario Balotelli had signed for Liverpool last August.
Despite his inevitable controversies, he was certainly seen as a big name signing and following the departure of Luis Suarez, the Reds desperately needed a goalscorer to play alongside Daniel Sturridge.
The Italian only cost the club £16 million after a season in which he scored 26 goals for AC Milan, and so he was expected to only better his tally as a first-team regular on Merseyside.
A promising start
Balotelli made his debut for Liverpool against Tottenham Hotspur, in which he partnered Daniel Sturridge up-front.
Despite not scoring, he impressed with his performance and it became clear that the two could play well together. Liverpool won the game 3-0, with Balotelli having plenty of opportunities to score, but it was his work rate that most impressed. He genuinely seemed eager to dismiss the criticisms that he was lazy and uninterested.
However, due to injuries, the partnership of Sturridge and Balotelli was halted and Balotelli had to lead the line himself. That is when his faults became clear.
The cracks started to appear
When Balotelli was forced to play up-front alone, the fans could see, he wasn't going to be the man that would score 20+ goals a season. He looked lazy off the ball due to his different playing style to the rest of his team-mates, and he found himself in the wrong positions when receiving the ball, added to the fact that he was often starved of support.
Unfortunately for him, Sturridge's injury woes meant that was how he continued - and when he failed to fire the goals they needed in a formation that didn't suit him, he was dropped and given few opportunities to get back into the side.
As a result, Balotelli went on to score just four goals all season and just one in the Premier League. By the end of the campaign, a lack of goals was a major reason why the club failed to seriously challenge for a top four spot.
Has the club signed his replacement?
Liverpool have already brought in two new strikers this summer, as well as another loan striker returning. Christian Benteke has been the marquee signing so far the summer, and is expected to lead the line next season whilst Sturridge is injured.
Danny Ings was also signed to bolster the attack, and Divock Origi has returned from his loan spell to further enforce Brendan Rodgers' attack force.
It is no secret that Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini are expected to be sold this summer, but there is still a question mark whether Balotelli will stay or not.
He has not attracted much interest from other clubs, but it does seem he is not part of Rodgers' plans for next season. Liverpool have essentially signed three new strikers, so three existing strikers are expected to leave.
Farewell Mario?
Fans have been split whether Mario Balotelli should be sold or not. Many believe he hasn't been given a fair chance, but others believe he simply hasn't performed when has played.
Liverpool would want to try and recoup as much of the £16 million they paid for back, but it is unlikely any club will pay even half of that.
As it stands, it does seem that Mario Balotelli has no future at Liverpool. Whether he has been given enough viable opportunities to prove himself is a different matter.