Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Rumoured to Have Played Last Reds Match

Mario Balotelli could have played his last game for Liverpool, according to Andy Dunn of the Sunday Mirror.

Dunn spoke to Sky Sports' Sunday Supplement after the Italian striker was left out of Brendan Rodgers' squad to face Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup:

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Brendan Rodgers explained exactly what was wrong—that he felt Balotelli could not play the high pressing game that Liverpool favour and the implication was that in training he was far less impressive than many others there including teenager Jordan Rossiter, who was on the bench yesterday.

Brendan said that if you are not at it in training everyday then you won’t be in the squad, and that is what has happened to Balotelli.

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Dunn continued with a harsh assessment of the player's future, saying: "For me his days are numbered, and I would not be surprised if we don’t see Mario Balotelli in a Liverpool shirt again."

B/R UK's Andy Brassell recently offered his thoughts on the former Manchester City man:

Balotelli has continued to disappoint since his summer switch from AC Milan. The journeyman is yet to score a Premier League goal and has only netted twice in all competitions for Liverpool, who have vastly improved without him in the side.

In fact, Rodgers' decision to deploy 3-4-3 without a conventional striker highlights Balotelli's failure to succeed at Anfield. He doesn't possess the urgency to make incisive forward runs, leaving creative players such as Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Lazar Markovic struggling to execute through balls when he's on the pitch.

Balotelli continues to be linked with a move to Lazio, something midfielder Lucas Biglia recently admitted he would like to see.

"We'd be delighted to play with (Mario)," said Biglia, as reported by Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror. "If he comes he would be very welcome."

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Lazio's need for a new striker intensified after Filip Djordjevic broke his ankle during Saturday's 3-1 win over Milan, as reported by Agence France-Presse (h/t Yahoo).

Liverpool could replace Balotelli with an ambitious move for Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, as reported by Alex Harris of the Daily Star. The Reds are one of many clubs said to be interested in luring the Frenchman away from the Bernabeu, with Madrid allegedly "refusing to rule out the possibility of selling" him, per Harris.

Meanwhile, Rodgers remains optimistic Balotelli can contribute.

"I think time will tell," he said, per David Maddock of the Mirror. "He still has a contribution to make—which I think he will do."

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Liverpool fans are unlikely to be so sure. The team have suffered just one defeat in 16 matches across all competitions. Rodgers has the side playing energetic, fast-paced football with plenty of chances being created, whether it's against Bolton or Chelsea. Balotelli doesn't fit into this setup, particularly with Daniel Sturridge set to return soon.

One has to question why exactly the 24-year-old was signed in the first place, but with Champions League qualification a real possibility, Rodgers will be tempted to cut his losses. He cannot afford to bring Balotelli back in and witness a deterioration in form. This would likely spell the end of his own Liverpool future, let alone Balotelli's extended stay.