The Italy international has endured a torrid season since joining the club in a €20m move from AC Milan but the Reds boss says the striker is keen to remain at Anfield
Brendan Rodgers insists Mario Balotelli is keen to stay at Liverpool and has rubbished talk of the summer signing leaving the club in January.
Balotelli has endured a difficult time at Anfield since making a €20 million move from AC Milan in August, and is yet to score a Premier League goal for the Reds.
Reports have subsequently linked the striker with a return to Serie A, but Rodgers says Balotelli wants to remain in England and prove himself on Merseyside.
“He does want to stay, I think that is the case with him,” Rodgers told reporters. “He does care about doing well for Liverpool and wants to do well but it just hasn’t gone as he would have wanted.
“This is a club where you will get every opportunity to shine. This is a group that is very close-knit, the spirit is strong and you can work your way into that by working hard and you will get your rewards.
“We’ve seen that over the last two and a half years with other players.”
Rodgers also revealed that he has spoken with Balotelli about his future, and maintains that the club have no intention of cashing in on the star this month.
“Yes,” he replied when asked if he has held talks with the Italian. “There is a lot of speculation about Mario but in January he is a player we want to still have here.
“We want as many good players as we can between now and the end of the season. He is not one we want to move.”