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Andrea Pirlo: 'Mario Balotelli can still become one of Europe's best'

Andrea Pirlo believes that Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli still has the ability to become one of Europe's finest strikers

Andrea Pirlo has claimed that Mario Balotelli still has the potential to become one of the elite strikers in Europe.

The Liverpool forward is surplus to requirements at Anfield following the arrivals of Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi, Danny Ings and Christian Benteke this summer, and a miserable stay on Merseyside is expected to end with a return to his homeland, with several Serie A clubs reportedly interested.

However, Pirlo, who played with Balotelli for Italy, thinks that the Reds frontman still has the ability to develop into one of the continent's best.

Pirlo told Shortlist: "He made mistakes when he was younger, he knows this, but I hope next season goes well for him, because I still believe he has all the attributes to be one of the top forwards in Europe.

"I'll tell you that Mario is one of the nicest guys you will meet. I used to walk into training in Italy and even before he said something I could just look at his face and I would start laughing. There are never boring moments when Mario is around."

Pirlo moved to MLS side New York City FC earlier this summer from Juventus.

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Liverpool's Italian forward Mario Balotelli is pictured during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Hull City at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, northwest England, on October 25, 2014
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2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
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5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
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14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
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17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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