Liverpool: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that striker Mario Balotelli is not part of his plans and says the “solution” for the Italian is a fresh start at a new club.

Balotelli is back on Merseyside for pre-season training but he did not feature in the first warm-up game of the summer, against Tranmere last Friday.

Klopp says keeping the 25-year-old as his fifth-choice striker is not an option. “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,” explained Klopp.

“We want him to become the player he was before his injury – the talent is still there. When we have done the crossing, heading and stuff, he’s been world class. But this is not a situation where he should be battling with other players like this for one position, so it’s clear we need a solution.

“There will be a club around who would be happy to have a new Mario Balotelli. I have spoken clearly to the player about that.

“It’s now time to make decisions and I try to help Mario to get in the best shape he can be in and we will see what happens.”

Klopp insisted there had been no problems with Balotelli since his return from Italy, but the current arrangement is intended to be short-term. “Since he has been back here, he’s been a good guy... Now he’s here, we will do everything we can to get him fit.”

Sampdoria have expressed their interest in the player, with president Massimo Ferrero saying they would be the perfect club for him to revive his career after scoring just three goals in 23 appearances for Milan last season.

Meanwhile, Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho’s hopes of a swift return after being cleared of doping allegations have been scuppered by an Achilles injury.

Sakho will miss the start of the season, having sought to resolve a long-standing problem during his recent absence.

Sakho is still deciding what further action he will take against Uefa for the ban that ruled him out of the European Championships and Liverpool’s Europa League final.

“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.”

Klopp did not want to get drawn into whether the matter was now closed.

“I cannot say too much as a manager,” Klopp added. “I don’t know exactly what will happen now from Mama’s side or Uefa’s side.

“Others have to talk about this because I don’t know what I am allowed or able to say.”