Mario Balotelli Could Make Liverpool Debut Against Tottenham Hotspur

Mario Balotelli is in line to make his Liverpool debut this weekend against Tottenham Hotspur, manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed.

The Italian was signed too late to feature against former club Manchester City on Monday but will not have to wait long for his Reds bow.

After suffering a group stage exit with Italy at the World Cup, Balotelli travelled on AC Milan's United States tour, playing against new side Liverpool earlier this month and Rodgers has confirmed the 24 year old is ready to go after a good pre-season.

"I think by the weekend [he'll be ready to feature]," Rodgers said.

"He's been into pre-season and he's played three 45-minute games. He might not be up to full match speed, but he's looking fit.

"We've done some analysis on him. The medical and sports science team have worked with him already and he's in very, very good condition.

"He's in to work and he'll be available for the squad for the weekend."

The arrival of Balotelli at Anfield has raised eyebrows given his mixed first spell in the Premier League with City during which he fell out with then-manager Roberto Mancini but did help the club win the Premier League title in 2012.

The Italian international is expected to slot in alongside Daniel Sturridge, filling the void left by Luis Suarez, and will be charged with helping Liverpool bounce back from the 3-1 defeat to City on Monday against Spurs.

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge added: "He provides another option and we've got a lot of games this season, so Brendan has plenty of options now.

"The manager will have a plan. It could be Balotelli going through the middle with Daniel [Sturridge] playing off him or out wide, as he did to great effect last season.

"He could be phenomenal and he's the type of player who will be endearing to the fans. He could be iconic."