• Transfer News

Balotelli staying at Liverpool, says agent

Mario Balotelli is happy at Liverpool and will not seek a move away from Anfield this month, according to his agent.

Brendan Rodgers said after Saturday's 0-0 draw with Bolton in the FA Cup that he had not given up hope of Balotelli making the breakthrough on Merseyside, even though he has yet to open his league account for the club he joined for £16 million in the summer as a replacement for Luis Suarez.

Balotelli was left out of the match-day squad for Saturday's game, raising more doubts about his future at Anfield, but Mino Raiola has quashed rumours of an imminent move.

• Mario Balotelli to score first tonight at Stamford Bridge, at 8/1 with bet365*
• For full odds visit www.bet365.com >>
• *All odds correct at time of publishing.

"Yes, he is happy at Liverpool," Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola told Sky Sports. "Nobody is happy to be left out, but he reacted in a professional way. Mario will win this struggle and become better. It is then up to Brendan Rodgers to give him a chance."

Those chances have rarely been forthcoming this season with Balotelli starting only eight Premier League matches, but Raiola says the former Manchester City striker just needs a bit more time to settle in.

"Mario needs to adapt and Liverpool need to adapt," he added. "He was injured and moved to a big club. This move was the right thing to do in his career. He's still one of the best in the world.

"We didn't ask to leave. It is too early, with the injury, to say we leave in January. There are no big problems. He's adapting to a new style that the manager wants. We'll see in the summer."

Raiola also played down claims Balotelli does not see eye to eye with Rodgers.

"They're talking and it is a good relationship," he said. "Mario likes him. They do not agree on everything. It is technical reasons they don't agree on but Mario will strive to give the manager what he wants."

Mario Balotelli was left out of the squad to face Bolton © Getty Images

Enlarge

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd