How to solve a problem like Mario

At the age of 24 and having already played for four different clubs, an inability to find comfort has generally been Mario Balotelli’s greatest criticism.

Arriving at Inter Milan as a teenage prodigy, ego issues had by 2010 led to an to exile from the Italian giants by manager Jose Mourinho and captain Javier Zanetti.

With no real leadership Balotelli was left isolated and astray.

A virtually paternal relationship with Roberto Mancini at Manchester City was intended to steady Mario, yet his 2010 move to a new country instead brought upon a relapse of unfamiliarity. Rather than allowing him to operate more freely, the move to Manchester saw a return of media pressures.

Scoring 19 goals in 25 Premier League appearances during his sophomore season should have earned him credit, yet his off-field interests dwarfed his on-field distinction. A sour last season at City, which ended in success for rivals Manchester United, saw Balotelli return to Milan – but more importantly to Italy.

His love affair with Italy is no secret, and this move from City to Milan – Inter’s rivals – promised a more tranquil era for Mario.

However, amidst rumours that the transfer had been stimulated by a training ground scuffle with footballing father Mancini, the romanticism was once again bound to fail. A victim of the despicable European trend of footballing racism, multiple cases of discrimination against Balotelli saw a dark shadow thrown over a record-breaking start at AC Milan.

Being the target in both Europe and in the Serie A could have seen Balotelli succumb to the abuse, but the man who had previously let off pyrotechnics in his bathroom and been pictured wearing opposition tops kept a level head. Having shifted his fun to Instagram (posting a picture of himself holding a gun in July), what is undeniable is the maturity shown on-pitch that made Balotelli top scorer for Milan.

Only time will tell as to whether Balotelli has ultimately matured, but under Brendan Rodgers Mario will be expected to behave like every other player. Rodgers will attempt to give Mario attention without the unstable sentimentality and feuds he experienced under Mourinho and Mancini.

Dealing with controversial figures is not something the Liverpool manager is any stranger to. Tuning a troublesome Raheem Sterling into the team player he is today stands as Rogers’ greatest success, but he has also hinted at a ‘bad behaviour’ agreement in Balotelli’s contract. While Mancini may have forgiven Balotelli, Rodgers will not accept these rules be broken.

Signing a striker with a history of difficulties as a replacement for a forward with an extraordinary backlog of controversy may not seem like much of an improvement, but the most promising element of this transfer is that it is not a straight swap of Balotelli for Suarez.

Although replacing your main contributor would usually solely be possible with the signing of a world-class striker like Balotelli, what is impressive about this deal is that it has the feel of addition rather than replacement.

The signings of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Divock Origi were made in the aim of boosting either the support or supply of Daniel Sturridge. Mario coming in this manner provides relief. It will not take a lot for Balotelli to match or exceed his price tag,

Unlike in 2012 when he left a press pursuing his every move, 2014 is above all an opportunity to wipe the slate clean. If the goal against England in the World Cup was a final retaliation to those who had doubted him before, he will this time arrive with nothing to prove; something essential for this move to uncoil successfully.

Mario Balotelli’s spell in Italy may have seemed relatively hushed, but 26 goals in 43 games means he arrives in Liverpool following the most lavished campaign of his career, and he will be keen to add to this.