Luis Alberto to Lazio: Liverpool midfielder joins Italian giants for £4.7m as Jurgen Klopp trims Anfield crop

Mario Belotelli is expected to join Nice on a season-long loan

Luis Alberto (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool attacking midfielder Luis Alberto has joined Lazio for £4.7m as Jurgen Klopp continues to trim his bloated squad ahead of the transfer deadline this evening.

The 23-year-old has made just nine appearances for the Reds since joining from Sevilla in 2013 and will now link up with Simone Inzaghi's men in Serie A after finally securing a move away.

Klopp, the Liverpool manager, is also hoping to offload Mario Balotelli to Nice on a season-long loan deal this evening.

With the Italian's contract set to expire next summer, the former Manchester City forward has therefore effectively played his last game for Klopp's men.

The deal taking Alberto to Lazio involves a 30 per cent sell-on fee which could see the figure rise further if the Spaniard moves on from the Stadio Olimpico in future.

Mamadou Sakho, Lazar Markovic and Tiago Ilori will also be pushed out the door at Anfield ahead of the 11pm deadline to prevent off-field strife damaging Liverpool's efforts to finish in the top-four.