Mario Balotelli is set to be given another chance to prove he can be a success in Liverpool's attack when Hull visit Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday, sources say.
Balotelli's long-term future with the Reds is in doubt just two months after he arrived from AC Milan on a three-year contract.
In a media briefing to national newspaper reporters on Thursday, manager Brendan Rodgers indicated that the Italy international could be sold as early as January if his form did not improve.
But sources have told ESPN FC that Balotelli will keep his starting place against Hull despite a series of poor performances.
The 24-year-old has scored just once in 10 appearances -- a goal which came in a 2-1 Champions League victory over Bulgarian side Ludogorets on Sep. 16 -- since Rodgers brought him to Anfield in a 16 million-pound deal in August.
Balotelli has also been at the centre of controversy off the pitch, with Greater Manchester Police confirming that they are investigating an incident in which it is alleged that he threatened one of his mother's neighbours in the Manchester suburb of Wythenshawe for taking photographs of his car.
Since Daniel Sturridge was forced out of action through injury in early September, Balotelli has been used as a lone striker -- a role he told Sport magazine recently did not play to his strengths.
He was dropped to the bench for the Premier League home game against West Brom on Oct. 4, three days after failing to get a single touch in the opposing penalty area during a 1-0 Champions League defeat in Basel.
Having regained his place, he missed several chances to score his first Premier League goal for the Reds as they beat bottom club QPR 3-2 last Sunday.
But it was his performance and behaviour as Liverpool lost 3-0 at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday that drove Rodgers to public criticism of the striker.
Balotelli was ineffective during the first half, although he was not alone in that respect, but then angered his manager by swapping shirts with Real defender Pepe as the players walked off at the interval.
The Italy international is facing a fight to retain his place even though Sturridge is unlikely to be fit until mid-November.
Sturridge, who suffered a thigh injury during an England training session on Sept. 5, looked to be close to a return when he picked up a calf problem while training with his club on Oct. 16.
The former Chelsea striker is certain to regain his place when he is fit again, leaving Rodgers with the decision as to whether to restore Balotelli to the freer attacking role he prefers or to drop him from the starting lineup.