Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is confident Mario Balotelli will fit in with his playing group.Liverpool are finalising the signing of the AC Milan striker.
Initially asked about Balotelli at his press conference to preview Monday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester City, Rodgers said with a smile: "I can categorically tell you ... that I can't speak about it until the player is signed.
"If we sign anyone, I will speak at length about them, but until then I can't say anything."
Rodgers did, though, then go on to speak about the standards of behaviour expected at Liverpool and his determination to protect them, indicating that Balotelli would be subject to the same rules as everyone else at the club.
He said: "I think every club will have a code of conduct for the people and professionals who work (for them).
"We have quite an extensive code of conduct for players and staff - there is no specific one for any one individual.
"We have a fantastic environment here and a great culture, and I think it is something that was very important for us to create and build here.
"There will be nothing that will ever shake that or provoke it in any way. It is something I always protect at the club."
Rodgers said he has "complete confidence" that any player he signs for Liverpool will not be a disruptive influence.
"With every player we assess and look at, of course, character is very important and no player would come here if I felt it couldn't work," Rodgers said.
"If I feel someone cares enough, I will give them everything, and thankfully we have a culture here that creates talents and gives them the opportunity to blossom.
"As long as they show they care and want to learn and develop, we can give them the opportunity."
He added: "Players and people come in all different shapes and sizes and have different traits. You can't throw a blanket over everyone.
"This isn't like many clubs. Liverpool is a club that is a real strong family football club, with values and ethics that run over many years.
"I, as the manager, will fight to protect that always, so no matter what player or professional at the club, they will abide by that.
"But we understand that sometimes you have to take a risk with people. And a lot of the time, if you take that risk you can get a reward for it."
