Mario Balotelli gets the Liver bird shaved into his head as he prepares for Saturday's Merseyside derby

Striker can't wait for crucial Anfield fixture

Mario Balotelli has shown off his drastic new hair cut ahead of the crucial Merseyside derby on Saturday.

The Liverpool striker has taken a trip to the barbers ahead of the fixture against Everton on Saturday, and he has decided to go blond with the Reds' badge on his head.

Balotelli joined Liverpool from AC Milan for £16m during the summer, and has scored one goal in five appearances for the club.

The striker will be hoping the colourful new trim inspires him against the Toffees at the weekend.

The 24-year-old scored twice from the penalty spot in the Reds incredible 14-13 shoot-out triumph over Middlesbrough in the League Cup on Tuesday.

"Do you see what i mean?" Balotelli wrote in the caption alongside four different angles of his new do.