London, July 13 (IANS): Liverpool chief coach Jurgen Klopp has said he does not see any future for Italian striker Mario Balotelli at the football club.

The German coach, however, on Tuesday said Balotelli has trained in the pre-season and that some of his abilities are “world class". But now the Italian striker faces tough challenge at Liverpool, who also have Daniel Sturridge, Christian Benteke, Divock Origi and Danny Ings on the books.

“I have spoken to him (Balotelli) about this,” Klopp was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

“He’s not at the stage of his career where he should be battling with four or five other players for one or two positions...so it’s clear we need a solution. There will be a club around who would be happy to have the new Mario Balotelli. I have spoken clearly to the player about that.”

Defender Mamadou Sakho in all probability will also miss out Liverpool’s English Premier League (EPL) opener against Arsenal on Aug 14. Sakho underwent treatment for a Achilles problem.

“Mama is injured. He had a little issue with his achilles when he was playing, one day on, one off, this kind of thing,” Klopp said. 

“When he had his little ‘break’ he used the time to have a little bit of treatment and that now means another three or four weeks before he can train again.”