Mario Balotelli scored as many goals for AC Milan on second debut as he did for Liverpool in the Premier League last season

It was only a friendly but Balotelli found the net just three minutes after coming on as a substitute

(Twitter/AC Milan)

Mario Balotelli scored just three minutes after coming on as a substitute as AC Milan beat Mantova 3-2 in a friendly.

The Italian striker returned to his former club on loan after a miserable season at Liverpool, where he scored only one goal in the Premier League, and four in all competitions, after a £16million move last summer.

But in the friendly against lower league Mantova on Thursday night, the 25-year-old curled in a beautiful effort on his second debut for the Rossoneri.

Collecting a pass from the left wing, the striker hit a brilliant curling shot first time right into the bottom corner that turned out to be the winning goal.

Balotelli didn't celebrate, of course.

"I have always been in good shape and put in the maximum effort like everyone," he told Premium Sport after the match.

"I am happy to have scored a goal and provided an assist. I want to win this game, because I don’t like losing."