Mario Balotelli has revealed that he only spoke to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp once before leaving Anfield for Nice in the summer. 

The Italian also insisted he was not at fault for failing to make an impact during troubled spells at Liverpool and AC Milan, partially blaming fitness problems for his lack of success. 

Balotelli joined Liverpool for £16 million in August 2014 but netted only two league goals in 36 appearances during his two seasons attached to the club—one for the Reds and one for AC Milan during his season-long loan spell in Italy in 2015-16.

Since his departure from Merseyside, he has been thriving in Ligue 1 with Nice, and though there is clearly no relationship between him and Klopp, the 26-year-old refused to apportion blame to anyone for why he failed at Liverpool and Milan, per Sky Italia (via Sky Sports' Allan Valente): 

Klopp doesn't know me, I spoke to him once, he told me to go somewhere else, work hard and then return.

So I said goodbye to them, and that we wouldn't be seeing each other again.

[Milan and Liverpool] weren't adapted to me. It wasn't anyone's fault. They weren't ideal environments for me.

I didn't make mistakes in terms of my game or my behaviour, but I did get injured and that's not something I can control.

Balotelli moved to Nice on a free transfer in August, departing Liverpool under a cloud of disappointment and resentment following his torrid spell at the club.

Reds legend Jamie Carragher's response to the news was indicative of the feeling towards Balotelli from those associated with Liverpool:

However, the former Manchester City star has hit the ground running with Nice, netting six goals in five appearances—five in three in Ligue 1 and one in two in the UEFA Champions League—per WhoScored.com.

Balotelli scored an 86th-minute winner for Nice against FC Lorient to keep his side top of Ligue 1 on Sunday before he was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card.

However, his dismissal has since been rescinded, per Get French Football News:

Balotelli looks more settled than ever at the Allianz Riviera and is making good on the enormous talent he has always possessed.

He explained that his decision to move to Nice was, in part, influenced by its climate, per Sky Italia (via Valente): "At the start, I chose Nice for the climate, I wanted to be in a relaxing but beautiful place, where it's difficult to get out the wrong side of the bed. The other reason I chose Nice is because there's a decent group of young players. We're all about the same age."

In a rare display of modesty, Balotelli also admitted that Italy head coach Giampiero Ventura was right not to select him for the Azzurri's upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Macedonia.

Indeed, even having been sent off, Balotelli has so far this season avoided the controversy that seems to follow him around.

That can only be a bonus for Nice, and if he keeps scoring at his current rate, Balotelli could inspire Nice to a genuine title challenge in 2016-17.