LONDON, ENGLAND - Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012: Manchester City's Mario Balotelli pleads innocence during the Premiership match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Mario Balotelli trains at Liverpool for first time

Mario Balotelli’s £16 million move to Liverpool from AC Milan has drawn closer after the striker trained at Melwood on Monday afternoon.

The 24-year-old flew back to England after spending the weekend in Italy on Monday morning to put pen to paper on what is thought to be a three-year deal.

Balotelli spent time doing fitness training with the club’s conditioning coach Ryland Morgans.

Balotelli is ineligible to play for the Reds against his former club Manchester City in the Premier League on Monday night, but could make his debut at Tottenham on Sunday.