UK Back Pages: Balotelli, Gerrard on the Outside Looking in at Liverpool

As the FA Cup returns this weekend to English football, Liverpool's Mario Balotelli and Steven Gerrard find themselves in unfamiliar territory: on the outside of the squad looking in. 

While Balotelli simply hasn't hit his stride with the Reds, Liverpool have found their best form while captain and club legend Gerrard has been injured. 

Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola has spoken out in Balotelli's defence in Mirror Sport, insisting that since Balotelli now has to work to earn his place, it should propel him to club-legend status. They also report that out-of-favour Manchester City right-back Bacary Sagna could be looking for an Etihad exit this summer to Roma: 

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Saturday's Daily Mirror back page: Work for a living! #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/30Y5TRRvAP

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) March 6, 2015"

Gerrard, meanwhile, is in Sun Sport as being "out on his rear" as manager Brendan Rodgers speaks about how he won't be rushed back into the Reds' line-up straight away from injury. They also report on the budding controversies at Manchester United with Jonny Evans denying spitting and Ryan Giggs denying a rift with Louis van Gaal: 

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Saturday's Sun back page: Utd in denial #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/zL6ebqUQhT

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) March 6, 2015"

In Star Sport, Rodgers vehemently rules out an Anfield exit for the more lucrative pastures at Manchester City. 

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Saturday's Daily Star back page: I'm not your man, City #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/AF6JK5WSLT

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) March 6, 2015"