Liverpool manager Rodgers vague on continued Balotelli absence

  


Liverpool 

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers revealed Mario Balotelli is still suffering from sickness, after the Italian continued his stint on the sidelines as the Reds beat Newcastle on Monday night.

The 24-year-old striker has struggled to perform in his first season on Merseyside and has repeatedly seen his commitment to the cause questioned.

Balotelli, who signed from AC Milan for a ‘bargain’ £16million last summer, has started just eight Premier League games this term, but has been absent from the Liverpool squad completely in recent weeks due to a mystery illness, with his last appearance off the bench coming in last month’s defeat to rivals Manchester United.

His latest no-show came on Monday evening, as his Liverpool team-mates overcame back-to-back defeats to win 2-0 at Anfield and reignite their quest for a top four finish.

And, when asked by the media after the game, Reds boss Rodgers was vague on the Italian’s current fitness.

“Mario is still ill,” he told the post-match press conference. “He wasn’t quite fit enough for tonight but hopefully he’ll train during the week.”

When probed again by attending press, who asked if his unexplained lengthy absence was concerning, the Northern Irishman appeared to measure his response, adding:

“He’s had on-and-off sickness issues...”

Rodgers suffered several injury blows to his squad ahead on kick-off against the Magpies, with reports suggesting central defender Mamadou Sakho is facing up to a month out with a hamstring injury, while Daniel Sturridge later pulled out of the match-day squad.

The boss confirmed both reports but, while Sakho will definitely miss Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final clash with Aston Villa, the club are hoping top striker Sturridge will be fit for the Wembley trip.

“Sakho will be three to four weeks, probably,” he said.

“Daniel was injured from the Blackburn game and just wasn’t right for tonight. It’s a problem with his hip.

“I’ll know more in the week, but he said he feels reasonably fine. We’re hoping by the middle of the week we’ll have a good indication of where he’s at, but hopefully he’ll be ready for the weekend.”