Liverpool: Mario Balotelli claims 'someone does not like me' as doubts persist over Anfield future

Mario Balotelli's future at Liverpool appears to remain wholly uncertain, with the controversial striker having taken to Instagram to mysteriously claim that someone just does not like him.

Italy international Balotelli has endured a frustrating debut season at Anfield since a £16m ($24m) summer transfer from AC Milan, registering just one goal in 13 total Premier League appearances under Brendan Rodgers.

An unused substitute once again during Wednesday night's (4 March) routine victory over struggling Burnley, the former Manchester City man, who appears to be comfortably behind the likes of Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and even Rickie Lambert in the established pecking order at Liverpool, could be forgiven for becoming somewhat frustrated at a lack of consistent opportunity and his latest cryptic social media post will have done little to cool speculation that he could depart Merseyside during the next transfer window.

While it is not made explicitly clear to whom Balotelli is referring, this is highly unlikely to endear him any further to Rodgers or indeed increase his chances of securing a regular first-team berth between now and May.

Liverpool's comfortable win over Sean Dyche's relegation candidates continued their excellent run of domestic form which includes an unbeaten stretch of 12 fixtures and seven wins from their last eight top-flight matches.

Such an impressive sequence has provided a crucial boost to the club's chances of retaining their place in the Champions League, with Liverpool currently fifth in the table and rapidly gaining ground on unconvincing rivals Manchester United in fourth.

Balotelli will certainly hope to contribute to that effort, although it is questionable whether he will still be around to take part in another European campaign at Liverpool.

The list of clubs eager to take a risk on the unpredictable and volatile forward is not believed to be particularly long, although a return to Serie A with Sampdoria has been tentatively mooted in some sections of the media.

A potentially lucrative switch to America could also hold some appeal in the event that Balotelli is deemed by Rodgers to be surplus to requirements, with expansion outfit Orlando City having been linked with the player ahead of their inaugural season in Major League Soccer.