Brendan Rodgers has categorically ruled out a move for AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli.

The Italian star has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal believed to be in pole position in signing the €24m-rated striker. The Reds manager had earlier praised the former Manchester City man, which had seen Balotelli being a rumoured target for the Merseyside club.

Rodgers’ comments came during Liverpool’s the pre-match press conference against Milan. The former Swansea boss has suggested that he was not surprised by the reports linking Balotelli to the Anfiled club.

“I can categorically tell you Balotelli will not be at Liverpool,” Rodgers said.

“In my last press conference I was asked a question about Balotelli and I talked about what a talent he was and what an excellent player he was. And the next day it was wrote as if we were signing him, which doesn’t surprise me.”

“I just gave my perception of him as a player. It shouldn’t be transmitted in to us signing the player,” Liverpool manager added.

Now that Rodgers has cooled down Balotelli rumours, Liverpool’s focus should be signing a quality striker in this summer transfer window. The English outfit suffered a massive blow when Luis Suarez completed his switch to Barcelona last month.

Liverpool are yet to bring in a player to fill in his shoes. Their recent efforts in signing Loic Remy was called off in the later stages of the deal after the Queens Park Rangers striker failed his medical.