Balotelli's going nowhere

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."

While Balotelli continues to struggle to find his feet at Anfield since his £16m move from AC Milan in the summer, Rodgers has been forced to juggle his forwards to find a combination which goes some way to fill the void left by the absence of Sturridge and the departed Luis Suarez.

Raheem Sterling is currently the latest player leading the line and he performed admirably in that role again against Burnley on Boxing Day

His decisive strike on the hour took him to three goals in his last three matches, and Rodgers believes that he has a lot to offer in a position which he is quickly adapting to.

"I think Raheem and anyone with that type of pace will always stretch teams and will always make defenders think," he said.

"He's a different type and not your natural number nine. For me it's more about the position than the player. For the team to function well, that pace in the team is very important for us."

Source: PA