Mario Balotelli works up a sweat in a sauna with best friend Antony Uberti

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli gives a thumbs up behind his close pal Antony Uberti, working up a sweat in a sauna on Monday afternoon August 3.

The 24-year-old Italy international didn't feature in either of the Reds' pre-season games at the weekend as Rodgers continued his preparations for their Premier League opener away at Stoke City on August 9.

''Running , sauna, pool. Job done for today. work hard and shhhh facts speak lounder @puma @antonyuberti #bestfriends [sic]'' Balotelli wrote as he captions the photo.

The day before, Liverpool striker posted a photo on Instagram of himself with a hawk on his hand!

''On the way to training...puma VS hawk,'' he said.