Mario Balotelli riles Liverpool fans by tweeting encouragement to £49m Raheem Sterling after his Manchester City debut

Sterling scored for City two minutes after falling over in Australia

Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli during Liverpool training (GETTY IMAGES)

Mis-firing Mario Balotelli did not do good job of endearing himself to Liverpool supporters last season, and his latest tweet has not helped build any bridges in their relationship.

Balotelli sent a tweet out to Raheem Sterling today after the winger, who left Liverpool last week after a prolonged and toxic transfer saga, scored two minutes after slipping up after his first touch as a City player during a pre-season win over Roma in Australia.

Sterling was finally signed by City last month for £49m. He rejected a £100,000 per week contract at Liverpool at the end of last season, and missed two days of training because of illness in the week leading up to his Liverpool departure.

Balotelli wrote on Twitter after City's 2-2 draw with Roma, which they won 5-4 on penalties:

The Italian striker Balotelli scored just one Premier League goal for the Reds last season following his £16m move from AC Milan, disappointing Liverpool fans. He has been linked with a return to Inter Milan this summer.