Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists Mario Balotelli is not for sale.

Reports in the striker's homeland have suggested that former club Inter Milan, where Balotelli rose to prominence, may be looking at a loan move for him in the new year in light of his poor start to life at Anfield.

But Rodgers insists he has no plans to further weaken a forward line which is already lacking the injured Daniel Sturridge.

Rodgers said: "It's not some thing that I have even thought about to be honest. We've had a lot of games this season in a lot of competitions. At this moment in time the key for me is trying to keep the squad together."