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Brendan Rodgers rips into Mario Balotelli, questions Italian's work ethic

Craig Brough / Action Images

It's been almost two months since Mario Balotelli started a match for Liverpool and, after manager Brendan Rodgers' comments Saturday, it doesn't appear as though he'll be suiting up any time soon.

Rodgers had some harsh words for the Italian striker when he was asked why Balotelli was left off the team sheet during Liverpool's scoreless draw against Bolton.

"Just not selected," Rodgers told reporters, courtesy of The Telegraph. "Absolutely it's tough for Mario because obviously the team is going very well and he has seen the real Liverpool over the last few weeks and he sees what is required to get in the team."

The Welsh boss revealed that he's spoken at length with Balotelli about what he expects out of him in order to earn a spot in the starting 11, and explained how the striker's performance during the early part of the season wasn't acceptable.

"I spent about an hour or so yesterday chatting. He understands where it is at. He was out for a week or so unwell and he knows the level at what this team is at, it's difficult for him.

"The pressing and aggression - and if you can't do that you are not going to be part of the team. We suffered in the first four months of the season and we can't go back to that."

Rodgers also spoke about the player's honesty during their meeting after Balotelli admitted that Liverpool's style of play was an adjustment he's been struggling with since arriving at the club for £16 million from AC Milan during the summer transfer window.

"It doesn't matter who the player is and what price it cost," he said. "If you want to contribute you have to be at it every day in training in order to be in the squad for match-day,"

"He was fully understanding and he saw the level of performance against Chelsea (last Tuesday) and in fairness said that was a struggle for him in terms of how he would play the game as he is naturally a box player. But there is more asked in the intensity of this team and he has seen that clearly in the last six or seven weeks. I'm confident he will respond well."

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