• Premier League

Balotelli is not complicated, says Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers says Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli is "not complicated" and just wants to do well on Merseyside.

The 24-year-old arrived at Anfield in August with a reputation for controversy and indiscipline as he completed a £16 million-pound move from AC Milan.

"I've really enjoyed working with him so far," Rodgers said. "He's a good guy. He wants to do well for the club and he's shown that he cares enough about the club to devote that time to it.

Still hope for misfit Borini

• Fabio Borini can find a way to revive his Liverpool career if he works hard enough, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.
• Borini started his first Premier League match for Liverpool for in almost two years as they lost 3-1 at West Ham last Saturday.
• Borini looked certain to leave Anfield during the summer, but rejected moves to both Sunderland and QPR after deals had seemingly been agreed by Liverpool.
• Rodgers said: "I know Fabio very well from our days working together when he was a youth team player at Chelsea. I know a lot about his qualities.
• "I think I've shown in my time here as a coach and a manager that there's always an opportunity if you deliver on the field, and on the training field.
• "Every player has that chance every single day. And then when they get that opportunity to play, they have to take it.
• "So obviously for Fabio, he'll want to score goals and create goals. If he can do that, then that will always help the cause."

"For me, he's not complicated. He's a football player who wants to do well in his life and his career and if he continues to give everything and work tirelessly for the cause, then there'll always be an opportunity here."

Rodgers feels that Balotelli will need time to adjust to a new-look Liverpool squad. The Northern Irishman has reshaped Liverpool's squad during the summer, selling Luis Suarez to Barcelona for £75 million and bringing in nine players.

However, Liverpool have lost three out of their five opening Premier League games - something Rodgers puts down to the expectation that comes with playing for the club.

"It's not just about Mario. It's about the whole group. There's a new dynamic in the group," Rodgers said. "We lost Luis, who was a marvellous player, and we had to bring in a number of players because we needed the depth in the squad. We were very, very short last year.

"So there was a natural transition in the group. And when there is that transition, there are little bumps on the way.

"Mario was one of a number of players we brought in, and for them all, no matter how good they are, it's going to take a wee bit of time for them all to gel with the current players who are here.

"We've conceded eight goals, and the majority of which could have been avoided.The weight of the jersey here, I said when I first came in, it's a heavy jersey for most players.

"That takes time. Once you adapt to playing for Liverpool, then of course you become that little bit more clear in your thinking.

"When you've got new players coming into the club, it's never easy. Even though that profile and type of player is very much suited to how we would work, there's the expectation of playing for a great club like Liverpool.

"You add in the players that are out injured - those are the players that have been with us on the journey here for a couple of years. If you roll all that into one, it makes it a wee bit unbalanced at the moment, but we will improve."

Liverpool put in a disjointed display as they lost 3-1 at West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday and will look to bounce back when they host Championship side Middlesbrough in the League Cup on Tuesday.

Midfielder Jordan Henderson is doubtful with a hip problem, while Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho has been struggling with a groin problem.

Rodgers added: "Jordan Henderson picked up a knock so we need to assess where he's at. And Philippe Coutinho is highly unlikely for tomorrow as well."

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