Mario Balotelli hopes using Luis Suarez's old shin pads will kick-start Liverpool career

Italian striker has permission from Barcelona man after finding old kit at Melwood

Tom Sheen
Tuesday 03 March 2015 09:44 GMT
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(Getty Images)

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Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli is hoping that wearing some old shin pads left at the club's training ground by former star Luis Suarez will inspire him to score more goals.

According to the People, the £16million Italian found a pair of Suarez's old shin pads at Melwood and believes that wearing them will spark an upturn in his goal scoring record.

Balotelli has just four goals in his debut season at Anfield, although he has improved recently after a terrible start for the Reds.

The paper claim that Balotelli even called the £75m striker, who scored 31 goals last season, to ask his permission to wear the shin pads that were left behind when he moved; Suarez apparently said yes.

A source told the People: "Luis was in great form and only too happy to help when he received the call from Mario."

Brendan Rodgers' team will hope to continue their 11-match unbeaten run in the Premier League when they host relegation battlers Burnley on Wednesday.

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