Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli being pushed to new levels by manager Brendan Rodgers

Mario Balotelli's source of frustration with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has potentially been revealed after the player's agent, Mino Raiola, revealed the Italy international has been forced out of his comfort zone at Anfield.

"Right now, I think Mario has a very interesting development for his career," the agent told RMC. "He has found a coach who asks of him things that had never been requested of him until now, including the discipline of running without the ball.

"This allows him to grow as a person and as a football player. He'll come out even stronger. He is proud of his team [Liverpool] and that is the most important."

Balotelli has endured a torrid first season with the Reds, scoring just four goals in 23 appearances since joining from AC Milan in the summer of 2014 as a replacement for Barcelona-bound Luis Suarez.

Since the return to full fitness of Daniel Sturridge, Balotelli has been largely unused by Liverpool manager Rodgers and the 24-year-old delivered an insight into his frustration when cryptically posting the message "someone doesn't like me".

Though Rodgers is not confirmed as the target for this criticism, one start since November in all competitions suggests the striker has reason to feel disconcerted by his career on Merseyside, which has fluctuated from one controversy to another.

The former Manchester City was publicly criticised by Rodgers for swapping shirts at half-time with Real Madrid defender Pepe during the 3-0 Champions League defeat in October 2014, while in February club captain Steven Gerrard slammed the forward for taking a penalty off Jordan Henderson in the Europa League win over Besiktas.

With Divock Origi set to re-join Liverpool from a loan spell at Lille, having moved to the Premier League club in the summer of 2014, Balotelli's long-term future at the club is uncertain and the player will likely seek assurances that he has a role to play in the first team between now and the end of the season.