Mario Balotelli equal his Liverpool league goal tally three minutes into his AC Milan debut

Mario Balotelli might not have got off to the best of starts with Liverpool - but he had no problem in flying out of the blocks in his return to AC Milan.

The Italian striker scored once and assisted another two during a friendly on Thursday night, as he made his first Milan appearance since returning to the San Siro on loan.

He was so desperate to shrug off the woes of his Liverpool horror show that he even found the net just three minutes into the game against Mantova.

Balotelli then provided an assist for Andrea Poli, Milan's new Brazilian signing from Shakhtar, before Luiz Adriano won the game for the former European champions.

And at half-time, with the score at 2-2, Balotelli hit back at Liverpool supporters who questioned his commitment to the club.

The 25-year-old told Premium Sport: "I have always been in good shape and put in the maximum effort like everyone.

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

Balotelli was left out of Italy's international squad for the latest internationals - and the Azzurri defeated Malta 1-0 without him.

Italy's win enhanced their position second in Group H of the Euro 2016 qualifiers, with Croatia leading on goal difference. Norway linger just two points behind in third.

Elsewhere in internationals, Wales have all but qualified for the finals next summer after a Gareth Bale header secured a 1-0 win.