Premier League: Liverpool move last chance for Balotelli, says Rodgers

Controversial Italian striker Mario Balotelli is on his "last chance" after joining Liverpool for 16 million pounds, says manager Brendan Rodgers. The 24-year-old Italy striker watched from the stands as Liverpool were defeated 3-1 at former club Manchester City on Monday. The striker moved from AC Milan on a three-year deal. Rodgers admits the signing is a "calculated risk" he says he can work on his "flaws". "We can improve him as a player and help him mature," he said. "He's a very bright boy. He was very clever. He understood where he's at, at this stage of his career, and he knows himself that this is probably his last chance. Time will tell. Of course it is a risk. I am not going to say it wasn't but he knows he needs to fit into our culture. There are no big egos or 'Big-time Charlies' in our squad. We have got to the Champions League because we are a team." Liverpool sold their star striker and top scorer Luis Suarez for around 75 million pounds to Barcelona earlier in the summer. Balotelli has sparked controversies during his two-and-a-half year stint at Manchester City before moving to AC Milan in January 2013. He did win the title with City and scored 30 goals in 80 appearances. He was also sent off four times though. Liverpool are 14/1 at Bet365 to win the Premier League title this season.