Mario Balotelli is determined to prove himself at Liverpool.

Balotelli, 24, has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield with Raheem Sterling being used through the middle instead of him in recent weeks.

When asked if the controversial striker has spoken to him about staying, Kop boss Brendan Rodgers said: "Yeah.

"In January he is a player we want to still have here, like the other players, and as I said 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. He does want to fight for his place. I think that is the case with him. 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, very tight, the spirit is strong and you can work your way into that by working hard and you will get your rewards for that."