Mario Balotelli in war of words with Jamie Carragher

Former Reds striker Mario Balotelli

LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher and former Reds striker Mario Balotelli are involved in a war of words on Twitter about the forward’s standing as a player in the world game.

Liverpool let the Italy international join Nice on a free transfer, despite spending £16million to sign him from AC Milan around two years ago.

The former Manchester City star scored just one Premier League goal in his first season at Anfield and was loaned out to Milan for the 2015/16 season.

However, his loss of form was also evident in Milan as he scored just one league goal in 20 appearances.

He returned to Liverpool for pre-season, but coach Jurgen Klopp made it clear he had no future on Merseyside. Subsequently, the forward was allowed to join Nice on a free transfer on deadline day.

Nonetheless, after the news was announced, Carragher was quick to give the Italian a critical parting shot. He said: “Balotelli on a free is still paying over the odds by Nice.”

However, the 26-year-old fired back a response to the the former Liverpool defender, who has long been a critic of the striker, saying, “Carragher, bad player, wonderful hater.”

The former England international then responded by seemingly mocking Balotelli’s dream of one day winning a Ballon d’Or. He said: “I wish him well in getting the Ballon D’Or at Nice.” Kickoff.com

Follow us on Twitter on @FingazLive and on Facebook – The Financial Gazette