Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is having growing doubts over Mario Balotelli's future with the club. The Daily Mail says Rodgers is beginning to have more fundamental issues with Balotelli after admitting privately that he has concerns about whether the striker is good enough to lead his attack.

Liverpool won 3-1 at Bournemouth without Balotelli on Wednesday in the Capital One Cup and went into last Sunday's game at Manchester United - that they lost 3-0 - without a recognised centre forward in the team.

With young winger Raheem Sterling scoring twice at Bournemouth and finding himself in a host of scoring positions during the game at United, it would appear Balotelli is close to becoming surplus to requirements at Anfield.