Football
Kevin Palmer and Mike Whalley 9y

Brendan Rodgers hints Mario Balotelli not in his Liverpool plans

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has given his clearest hint yet that striker Mario Balotelli has no future in his first-team plans, confirming that the Italian "clearly knows his situation" as he heads into the final two weeks of the transfer window.

Balotelli, 25, has played no part in Liverpool's preseason preparations and is reported to have been told by Rodgers that he is free to find a new club, just a year after the he arrived as one of the marquee names recruited by the Anfield club last summer.

After scoring just one goal in 16 Premier League appearances last season, Rodgers has offered these comments on Balotelli's position as it was confirmed he will play no role in Monday's game against Bournemouth at Anfield.

"He clearly knows his situation and where he's at. There's nothing to add," Rodgers said. "All of the players understand where they're at."

Along with Balotelli, fellow Italian striker Fabio Borini and Spanish left-back Jose Enrique have spent time training on their own after effectively being cut from the first-team squad.

It prompted Enrique to suggest, in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, that the trio had been "alienated" by Rodgers.

The manager, though, dismissed those comments as "irrelevant," suggesting in response that players not involved in his squad will find clubs elsewhere if they are motivated to get games.

Asked about Enrique's comments, Rodgers said: "It's not something I'm overly concerned about. If a player is playing, he's super happy -- and if not then, of course, he won't be.

"What never changes for me is that I always offer every player respect, whether they are playing or not. I'll always do what is best for the team.

"I'll always treat individuals with respect and try to make sure they understand the situation of where they're at. It's then their choice.

"When the manager and the club give a player a situation, if they really want to play, then I'm sure they'll find a solution.

"If they don't, then at least they know where they stand.

"The environment we've created here is designed to get the maximum out of the players. The comments, whether they were said or not, are irrelevant to me."

Balotelli is only 12 months into the three-year deal he signed when joining Liverpool from AC Milan for £16 million last August, and scored only four goals last season.

Borini, 24, has made just eight league starts since Rodgers bought him from Roma for £10.5m in 2012. Liverpool tried to sell him in 2014, but he turned down a £14m move to Sunderland -- where he had just completed a season on loan -- and a £10m transfer to QPR.

Spanish left-back Enrique, 29, has not been selected since January, and played just four times in the Premier League for the Reds last season.

ESPN FC correspondent Mike Whalley contributed to this report

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