Mario Balotelli may not currently be a prominent member of the Liverpool squad, but he remains close with his teammates off the pitch as he celebrated his 25th birthday with them.

Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Emre Can, Divock Origi, Mamadou Sakho, Lucas Leiva, Lazar Markovic, Fabio Borini and summer signing Roberto Firmino were among the invited guests.

Prior to the celebrations, apparently on the stroke of midnight, the controversial Italian striker was sprayed with champagne by his friends to mark turning 25 years old.

Alongside an Instagram snap of himself with his teammates and a 'No.9' birthday cake, Balotelli wrote: "Thanks everyone guys! Love you."

Balotelli was not part of Liverpool's pre-season tour and was not included in the squad that sealed a 1-0 win over Stoke City last weekend.