Mario Balotelli Injury: Updates on Liverpool Striker's Knee and Recovery

Mario Balotelli was nearly ruled out of Tuesday's Capital One Cup win over Swansea City by a knee injury, something Liverpool will now monitor ahead of their weekend trip to Newcastle.

The maverick striker experienced pain in his knee prior to joining the fray against the Swans as a late substitute. Liverpool assistant manager Colin Pascoe provided details of the potential injury, per Daily Mirror reporter David Maddock:

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It was a relief he could play really, and we’re lucky. He twisted his studs in the ground in the warm up, and that’s why he was sent inside early – to be assessed by the physio if he was fit to play.

He showed that the knee wasn’t troubling him though, didn’t he? I felt he got his just reward coming on and getting that goal, because he has worked so hard in training.

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Anfield chief Brendan Rodgers will hope Balotelli can shake off any pain ahead of the next Premier League fixtures. The former Manchester City and AC Milan striker may have kick-started his Reds' career with his late equaliser to help propel Liverpool to the quarter-final of the League Cup.

Dejan Lovren added to Balotelli's goal to earn a dramatic 2-1 victory, and in which the Italian's relief was obvious, summed up best by a post-match tweet from the player himself:

The highly controversial Italy international's performances have been under intense scrutiny since he arrived at Anfield late this summer. Things haven't exactly gone to plan, as Balotelli had managed just one goal in domestic and Champions League action prior to Tuesday's game, per WhoScored.com.

The nadir came in Liverpool's recent 3-0 UEFA Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. Balotelli raised the ire of fans and pundits by swapping shirts with Los Blancos' centre-back Pepe at half-time.

But that was merely the final act of an opening half Balotelli had sleepwalked his way through, according to BBC Sport reporter Phil McNulty:

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Aside from "shirtgate", Rodgers' more significant comments centred on how Balotelli was subbed at half-time, adding that he wanted more pressing and pressure on Real's central defenders. The subsequent praise of his replacement Adam Lallana sounded like a jab in Balotelli's direction.

An airy "casting pearls before swine" wave of Balotelli's hand after a wayward pass was not read by his team-mates caused more dissatisfaction and he was on his way before taking his shirt off. Rodgers did not spot it initially so his removal was not a punishment.

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But whatever Balotelli's problems are, Rodgers knows Liverpool can't afford another injury among his forwards. That's especially true with Daniel Sturridge still on the shelf.

Bogdan Maran/Associated Press

There is currently no time frame set for the England forward's return from injury, per The Guardian. Liverpool's attack has been tame without Sturridge. Those woes were best encapsulated by the recent 0-0 draw against Hull City at Anfield in the league.

But that could easily change if Balotelli takes some confidence from his goal against Swansea. A confident Balotelli is a different player, certainly one capable of causing defenders fits with his pace, power and underrated technique.

But if Balotelli can't start at Newcastle, the Reds will be down to relying on ex-Southampton veteran Rickie Lambert. It's a good bet their problems in front of goal will continue if a perhaps suddenly confident Balotelli is unable to play.