Mario Balotelli is stuffed at Liverpool unless he proves by Christmas that he is no turkey

STRIKER Mario Balotelli is fighting for his Liverpool career with manager Brendan Rodgers telling him there is no room for sentiment in football and that he won't hesitate to bring in a replacement during the January transfer window.

Rodgers and Balotelli met before Thursday training and the player was fined for swapping shirts with Real Madrid defender Pepe at half-time of the 3-0 Champions League defeat by the Spanish side the night before.

More importantly than the shirt-swapping issue, the Italian's performances since his 16million move from AC Milan two months ago are proving a huge concern to Rodgers - and the January transfer window opens in 68 days.

He said: At this moment in time, Ill be working with the players that we have and he is one of them. Not just improving him, but improving all the players. And we will see come January what the team needs."

Balotelli has had the second-most shots per game of any striker in any of the top five leagues in Europe, but is yet to score in the Premier League.His only Liverpool goal so far came in the Champions League win over Ludogorets.

Rodgers said: We brought in the player to give him a chance, and [we] give him every chance. At this moment in time, of course, he hasnt scored the goals we would like or want. We have to give him that opportunity, and we will give him every opportunity.

The boy is trying very hard to be the best he can be out there on the pitch. He's working hard to increase his opportunities of playing in the team. Whether that will be good enough remains to be seen.

It is the striker's contribution to the high-intensity approach that defines Rodgers' team that will be the key to his future, with Balotelli told in no uncertain terms he will be on his way unless he can produce what the system demands.

The pairhad a heart to heart on Thursday and Rodgers has spelt out what he requires from a forward who leads the Liverpool line - pace, strength in running in behind defences, and more importantly, a willingness to press incessantly.

So far the Italy international has failed to provide that and while his manager has sympathy for the difficulties the player has faced given the struggles of the team, he is prepared to make a tough call on Balotelli's future if he believes it simply isn't working.

Original post:
Mario Balotelli is stuffed at Liverpool unless he proves by Christmas that he is no turkey