Mario Balotelli has blamed moving to Liverpool for his career downturn, claiming ‘it was the worst mistake of my life’.
Balotelli put a miserable two years at Anfield behind him by enjoying a flying start to his Nice debut with a goal inside seven minutes against Marseille on Sunday.
The former Italy international joined the French club on a free transfer which prompted an ugly war of words between Balotelli’s camp and those connected to the Reds.
Agent Mino Raola took aim at Jurgen Klopp in the aftermath of the striker’s transfer deadline day departure, claiming the Liverpool manager had disrespected his client.
Balotelli also became embroiled in a social media spat with Anfield icon Jamie Carragher after he claimed Nice had ‘overpaid’ in signing the 26-year-old for free.
But speaking to Canal+ after the Marseille game, the former Manchester City man revealed his regrets at leaving AC Milan for Merseyside in 2014.
He said: “I joined Liverpool – it was the worst mistake of my life.
“Apart from the fans, who were fantastic with me, I must be honest, and the players, who I had a good rapport with, I didn’t like the club.
“I had two coaches, Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp. As people they didn’t make a good impression on me. I didn’t get along with them.”