Liverpool’s hopes of selling Mario Balotelli or Christian Benteke to Besiktas seem to be fading.

The Turkish champions are on the lookout for a striker and had been linked with the Reds pair, who are peripheral to Jurgen Klopp’s plans this season.

But chairman Fikret Orman distanced the club from the duo, suggesting Balotelli’s temperament and Benteke’s £32m asking price were sticking points.

“Benteke is a good player that we would want to see come to Besiktas but his he is valued at a very high price. It does not look like an easy deal,” he told reporters.

“Balotelli is a major star but a troubled player. He has got an image.

“We are interested in other players as well. Ideally we want to sign a striker on loan.”