Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes Liverpool will "always" miss Luis Suarez but thinks Mario Balotelli could be the "perfect" signing for them.
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini backs Balotelli's move to Liverpool
Liverpool are understood to be closing in on a £16million deal to bring the former City forward Balotelli to Anfield and Pellegrini feels he could be a big hit at Anfield.
The Chilean's Manchester City side will take on Brendan Rodgers' Reds at the Etihad Stadium on Monday in a meeting of the teams who finished first and second in last season's Premier League.
Liverpool have lost Suarez, who was voted Footballer of the Year after scoring 31 goals for them, to Barcelona in a 75 million-pound move.
But they are trying to sign former City striker Balotelli from AC Milan for 16 million pounds, although the Italian will not be eligible to make his debut against his old club.
Liverpool have already spent over 100 million pounds this summer but Pellegrini said in a news conference: "Maybe they will always miss Luis Suarez because he is a very important player but they have brought a lot of important new players and continue being a very strong squad also."
Balotelli scored 30 goals in 80 games during his City career and helped them win the Premier League title in 2012.
He was both bought and sold by Pellegrini's predecessor, Roberto Mancini, but the Chilean believes a move to Anfield could be just what the 24-year-old needs.
He added: "I know the character of Mario Balotelli. Everyone that is involved in football knows about him. If Liverpool decide he the player he is the player that is important for them, perfect for them and perfect for Mario."
While Rodgers had ruled out moving for Balotelli three weeks ago, Pellegrini said he was not taken aback by Liverpool's change of heart.
He said: "I am not surprised because I think Mario Balotelli is a very good player. He went here from Manchester City to Italy but I think he can play everywhere he wants."
One of Balotelli's former striker partners, Edin Dzeko, has signed a new four-year deal to stay at City and Pellegrini was delighted to keep the Bosnian.
He added: "I am very pleased because I think that Edin is a very important player for our squad. He is playing very well and so he deserved to renew his contract with the club."
If, as expected, Liverpool conclude their deal for Balotelli, he cannot be registered in time to face his old club City on Monday.
Pellegrini is keen to lay down a marker for the season but the City boss is frustrated that he does not have a fully fit squad to choose from.
He said: "We are just starting this season - last season for us is finished. We are not thinking any more about what happened last season.
"I always say to the players that these games are games of six points, especially when you play at home with the most important squads of the Premier League such as Liverpool or Arsenal or Chelsea.
"Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna - and Vincent Kompany, Martin Demichelis and Fernandinho, who already played - all of them will be not 100 per cent, but ready."
"It is important for us as we are just starting the season and maybe we don't have our whole squad in the best fitness moment, but I think this week we have worked very hard and very well, so I hope we can do a very good game and win the three points."
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