Brendan Rodgers: 'Mario Balotelli is ready to play against Tottenham Hotspur'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that Mario Balotelli is in "very good" physical condition ahead of his potential debut against Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday.

The Italy international completed a reported £16m move to Anfield from AC Milan on Monday by signing a three-year deal.

The 24-year-old was in the stands to watch Liverpool fall to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of his former club Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Monday, but he could get some minutes on the pitch at White Hart Lane this weekend.

"I think by the weekend [he'll be ready to play]," Rodgers told the club's official website. "He's been into pre-season and he's played three 45-minute games. He might not be up to full match speed, but he's looking fit.

"We've done some analysis on him. The medical and sports science team have worked with him already and he's in very, very good condition. He's in to work and he'll be available for the squad for the weekend."

Balotelli became Liverpool's ninth summer signing following the acquisitions of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Emre Can, Lazar Markovic, Dejan Lovren, Divock Origi, Javier Manquillo and Alberto Moreno.