by Kadeem Simmonds

Mario Balotelli could win Liverpool’s player of the season award, thanks to Manchester United and Arsenal fans.

The Merseyside club opened up the voting to fans but didn’t expect supporters from rival clubs to weight in with a campaign to get the controversial Italian striker to win the award.

Balotelli has had a difficult debut season at Anfield and has often found himself out of the starting line-up but could yet pick up an award which would have surely eluded him if Liverpool fans had it their way.

Voters have to provide an email address — and not prove that they are a Liverpool fan
United and Gunners fans have launched the Twitter campaign #VoteBalotelli and have urged other supporters to get involved.

It is not the first time a player could win an award they haven’t deserved.

In similar circumstances, Norwich fans voted for third-choice goalkeeper Carlo Nash to win their player of the year award last season in a protest at the club’s performance, despite not playing a single minute that term.

Norwich’s award was ultimately won by midfielder Robert Snodgrass.