Mario Balotelli has said that it will be "very difficult" for Liverpool to replace Steven Gerrard after the captain announced that he will not be signing a new contract with the club.

The midfielder confirmed reports that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season, adding that he will be moving to another league so that he does not play against Liverpool.

The striker told the club's website: "Wow, I think of him as being at the same level as Pirlo. Vision, technique, but powerful as well.

"Stevie can do anything, he's an amazing player. It's going to be very difficult for the team to find another player like him in the future."

Gerrard made his senior debut for the club in 1998.