Mario Balotelli is continuously being linked to a possible transfer after the current season, but his agent said the struggling striker is happy in Liverpool.

Mino Raiola, Balotteli's agent, said that his client is not making the same impact that he made in previous seasons, but he sees a lot of positives in the Italy international's first year at Anfield.

Raiola said that Balotelli will benefit a lot from his experience this season as Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been pushing the 24-year-old to perform like never before. According to the agent, Rodgers is pushing Balotelli out of his comfort zone -- something that well-respected coaches Jose Mourinho and Roberto Mancini failed to do before.

"I think Mario has a very interesting development for his career," Raiola said in an interview with RMC radio station via ESPN FC. "He has found a coach who asks of him things that had never been requested of him until now."

Raiola pointed out that Balotelli is being forced to run without the ball a lot and to show a more disciplined game, which he thinks will help the striker improve significantly in seasons to come.

"This allows him to grow as a person and as a football player," added Raiola, who also insisted that Balotelli is enjoying his first year at Anfield. "He'll come out even stronger. He is proud of his team and that is the most important."

Balotelli, who is playing in his first season with Liverpool after a being acquired from AC Milan for £16 million last summer, has yet to find his mark for his new club this season. He has only scored four goals in all competitions, including just one in the Barclays Premier League.

Balotelli reportedly drew the interest of Inter Milan during the January transfer window, but Rodgers declined to sell the Palermo, Italy native. However, questions about his future at Anfield were raised after Rodgers declined to answer when asked if he is planning to keep Balotelli beyond the current season.

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