Mario Balotelli embraces Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Martin Demichelis before Manchester City's win against Liverpool

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Mario Balotelli was all smiles as he caught up with former Manchester City team-mates Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy
Mario Balotelli was at the Etihad to watch new club Liverpool face the Premier League champions
Stevan Jovetic looked delighted inside the Manchester City tunnel with his man-of-the-match award

By Luke Augustus for MailOnline Follow @@Luke_Augustus29

Published: 04:21 EST, 26 August 2014 | Updated: 06:12 EST, 26 August 2014

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It wasn't the return he was hoping for, but that didn't stop Mario Balotelli sharing pleasantries with his former Manchester City team-mates.

The 24-year-old was caught on camera hugging Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy as the pair gave him a warm welcome back inside the Etihad Stadium tunnel.

Zabaleta looked especially pleased to see the Italy forward - embracing his friend on his return to England.

VIDEO Scroll down to find out 10 facts about Mario Balotelli that you might not have known

Happy to be reacquainted: Liverpool's new signing Mario Balotelli (right) was embraced by former Manchester City team-mate Pablo Zabaleta (left) on Monday night

Sight for sore eyes: Zabaleta (centre) looked happy to see former team-mate Balotelli in the tunnel before the match

Bonded duo: Zabaleta (left) and Balotelli (right) were part of the Manchester City squad to win their maiden Premier League title during the 2011-12 season

All smiles: The duo were happy to be briefly reunited with Zabaleta (left) welcoming the Italy forward back to England

High five: As well as Zabaleta, Balotelli (right) was also rather friendly with Gael Clichy (centre)

Welcome to Manchester: Martin Demichelis (left) was another City player to say hello to Balotelli on Monday night

Past and present: Current City striker Alvaro Negredo (left) was another player to greet Balotelli on his return to Manchester

Idolised: Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany (centre) shook the hands of all the team's child mascots after finishing his warm-up

Star attraction: Bacary Sagna (centre) was one of many footballers to greet the child mascots before the match

Mario Balotelli works on fitness alone at Liverpool training ground

Despite the niceties, Liverpool's new £16million signing was afforded no favours from the duo as he watched his new side slump to a 3-1 defeat on Monday night.

Two goals from Stevan Jovetic and a Sergio Aguero strike gave the Premier League champions a 3-0 lead before Rickie Lambert scored a late consolation for the visitors.

Jovetic's double earned him the man-of-the-match award and the Montenegrin looked rather chuffed with his performance as he walked back into the tunnel after full-time.

The same couldn't be said for Frank Lampard though, who looked frustrated before kick-off as the former Chelsea star was again excluded from the matchday squad.

Pleased as punch: Stevan Jovetic looked delighted with his man-of-the-match performance after his brace against Liverpool

Contrasting emotions: Yaya Toure (left) enters the tunnel happy with his side's victory, while Rickie Lambert looks crestfallen as the Reds lose

French affair: France team-mates Eliaquim Mangala (left) and Mamadou Sakho (right) shake hands after the match but Brendan Rodgers (right) looks dispirited