KUALA LUMPUR -- Mario Balotelli is a waste of time and money who must be forced to leave Liverpool, according to former Reds' captain Steve McMahon.
McMahon made his comments after Liverpool's media conference in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday evening as manager Brendan Rodgers dodged questions about the Italian striker's future ahead of Friday's game against the Malaysia XI.
"That's entirely up to Mario," Rodgers said when quizzed about the 2015-16 season prospects of his absent forward.
"Mario's obviously not on tour but he's working hard and training well back in the UK like a number of other players... he's working hard to get fit."
But Malaysia-based McMahon, technical advisor to the Frenz United academy, says that Rodgers must make moves behind the scenes to freeze Balotelli out of the team.
"For the good of Liverpool football club, Balotelli must leave as soon as possible," McMahon told ESPN FC. "In some ways, it is out of Rodgers' hands because Balotelli is under contract, but he needs to do what he can to let him know that he's not wanted.
"Mario has showed that he is a waste of time and money who has become a negative influence in the dressing room."
Balotelli has been the target of abuse from Liverpool fans after his words of encouragement on Twitter to former teammate Raheem Sterling who left Liverpool last week to join Manchester City in a £49 million deal -- a record for a British player.
McMahon says that Balotelli's lack of sensitivity to Liverpool supporters was further proof that the former Manchester City player had no future on Merseyside.
"Mario and Raheem can stick together but they are two men that Liverpool football club are better off without," McMahon said.
"With Christian Benteke and other players coming to the club, Liverpool have done the kind of business that means that they simply don't need Balotelli anymore."
Rodgers refused to discuss Benteke's impending move, saying, "I'm only interested in talking about players I currently have."
The game against the Malaysia XI, organised by Pro Events, is the fourth and final match of Liverpool's Australian and Asian tour. They defeated the Thai All Stars 4-0, Brisbane Roar 2-1 and Adelaide United 2-0 in their previous games before arriving in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday evening.
Thursday evening will see Liverpool's open training session at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium from 6 p.m.