Liverpool are linked with an Italian star, so how have Italian players fared in Red?

With Riccardo Calafiori rumored to be a target of the club over this summer, it's as good of a time as any to take a look at the short list of Italian Reds the current Bologna player would potentially be joining, should the move become official.

It might not be a long list, but there are some memorable names to come.

Mario Balotelli

Let's start with the most recent instance, and the most memorable; Mario Balotelli's move from AC Milan.

The electrifying striker's return to the Premier League was met with high expectations, upon which he completely failed to deliver.

In 16 Premier League matches, including 10 starts, Balotelli managed just a single goal for Liverpool, and no assists.

After just a season, he was loaned back to Milan, and after that year was up, sold to Nice, remembered as one of the worst Liverpool transfers in recent memory.

Before Balotelli evidently terrified the club's decision makers, there was a bit of a run of Italians to Anfield.

Alberto Aquilani leads mini Italian surge at Anfield

In 2009, midfielder Alberto Aquilani came over from Napoli, and three years later, forward Fabio Borini did the same.

Aquilani didn't get enough playing time to justify his place at Anfield, and was loaned out to Juventus and Milan, while Borini, who also struggled to find the pitch, was sent out to Sunderland for a year before the move was made permanent.

A year before Aquilani's move, Andrea Dossena came over from Udinese, but also had a tough time staying in the XI.

Even so, he was able to secure a big-club move to Napoli, where he had a much more prolific tenure.

Next is the only goalkeeper on the list, Daniele Padelli, who was only at Anfield for half a season on loan from Sampdoria.

He is believed to be the first Italian to play for the club, which he did exactly once, in a tough draw to Charlton Athletic.

After that, the final match of his only Liverpool campaign, he returned to Sampdoria, before being loaned out several times more.

Unfortunately, none of these Italian internationals really made their mark during their time at Liverpool.

Should Calafiori make his way to Anfield, expectations will be set at a bar much higher than any of his predecessors were able to touch. We'll potentially see if he's able to meet or even surpass them, or if this will be another Balotelli situation.