Sampdoria will take Liverpool misfit Mario Balotelli 'in a heartbeat'

Sampdoria are ready to bring an end to Mario Balotelli's nightmare spell at Liverpool and offer the striker a route back to Serie A.

Balotelli, 24, has endured a bleak season back in the Premier League following his move from AC Milan in the summer of 2014, having scored just one league goal this term.

The Italy international has been tenuously linked with a return to his homeland since the January transfer window, but Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero is the first to come forward with solid interest, admitting he would love to partner the Reds striker with former Everton man Samuel Eto'o.

"Balotelli is a great name," Ferrero told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli. "He'd suit a lot of teams. I'd take him at Sampdoria in a heartbeat. A partner of Eto'o-Balotelli would be fantastic."

While Rodgers has indicated one of his priorities this summer will be to add an established goal scorer to his squad, the manager has also hinted he may hand Balotelli another chance to prove himself next season.

"Mario is doing his best," Rodgers said. "I think it is clear over the course of the season, not just this game, that [attack] is an area we have struggled in.

"He has still got a few years left on his contract. Every single player, every single day you come in at Liverpool, you are working for your future."

News that Daniel Sturridge will not be available until September at the earliest following hip surgery places Rodgers under more pressure to address his side's lack of goals this season.

In the 2014-15 season, Liverpool scored 101 league goals, a tally that has fallen to 49 with three games of the season remaining with Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini failing to fill the void left by Sturridge's frequent absences.