Carragher 'praying' Chinese club buys Balotelli after Milan loan

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher hopes a free-spending Chinese club splashes the cash this summer to take Mario Balotelli off his former club's books.

Carragher has openly criticised Balotelli since the Italian arrived at Anfield in August 2014. Balotelli is currently spending the season on loan at AC Milan, but Liverpool is still reportedly paying a portion of his wages.

"I can't believe we signed Mario Balotelli!" Carragher told the Daily Mail. "The thing with Balotelli is everyone always says it's the off-the-field antics, but I wouldn't care if he was doing it on the pitch.

"People tell me he's got talent but I can't remember him having a good game. I'm praying with all the money in the Chinese Super League that someone is going to buy him after his loan. I don't think anyone in the Premier League will take him."

Reports in England last month indicated that Liverpool had been shopping Balotelli on the Chinese market in an attempt to recoup the £16-million fee it paid for the 25-year-old.

Liverpool signed the Italian from Milan following the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona - a move that former manager Brendan Rodger admitted he didn't want to make.

Balotelli scored just four goals in 28 appearances for the Reds before returning to Italy. Dogged by a groin injury, he has so far failed to make an impact during his second stint with the Rossoneri.