Balotelli left out of Liverpool squad for League Cup clash with Bournemouth

By foxsports
Published

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli will not feature against Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup quarter-final as he has not travelled with the squad.

The Italy international was a second-half substitute in Sunday's defeat at Manchester United, where he made his comeback after more than a month on the sidelines with a groin problem.

Balotelli has stayed behind to receive further treatment on the injury at the club's Melwood training ground with a view to him being fit for Sunday's visit of Arsenal.

Defender Glen Johnson, who came off with a groin injury at Old Trafford, is likely to be out for about a month, meaning on-loan Javier Manquillo could be set for an extended run if manager Brendan Rodgers reverts to a flat back four having experimented with three centre-backs against United.

Rodgers is expected to name a strong side against the Sky Bet Championship leaders as he looks for a much-needed confidence boost after exiting the Champions League and losing against their arch-rivals in the same week.

That could mean Raheem Sterling, in the absence of Balotelli, is again asked to perform in the central striking role as he did against United.