There are already rumours that Live

There are already rumours that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who described Balotelli as a "calculated risk" almost as soon as the striker had walked through the Anfield door in August, is growing tired and looking for alternative options.

But it seems like giving up would be an awfully quick U-turn on a marquee player the club bought for £16m just a few short months ago, unless that is, they never actually bought him at all.

A recent report by Duncan Castles for Bleacher Report revealed a shocking twist that Balotelli's Liverpool journey could soon be over he if fails to impress because those are the terms of the 'loan' deal he was signed on.

So concerned was Rodgers by his reputation, Liverpool are said to have initially wanted only a temporary deal before making any major commitment. But AC Milan were so keen to get rid of him permanently that it was not seen as a possibility.