Brendan Rodgers insists Mario Balotelli still has a future at Liverpool, and says the striker will be given the chance to win a place back in the Reds first team.
The 24-year-old was left out of the squad to face Bolton at the weekend despite being fully fit, and Rodgers revealed he had held an hour long talk with the striker about his position at the club.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s semi-final second leg clash with Chelsea, Rodgers said: “We’ll give Mario every chance.
We brought him here this season to give him every chance to show he can play consistently at the top in a team at this level.
“It has been a difficult period for him, but he’s a good boy who wants to fight for his opportunity here. I’ve seen some clippings this morning saying that’s him over with, and it’s not the case at all.
“I think I’ve shown here a number of times – players that have been out of the fold for various reasons, if they work hard every day in training and show the intensity and focus then they’ve every chance of getting back in the team – and not only of getting back in the team, but staying there. So the opportunity’s there for Mario and for every player.”
