Rodgers rules out Mario move
Rodgers showered praise on Balotelli last week, which led to speculation he could sign the AC Milan front man.
The Liverpool boss has already signed Lille striker Divock Origi and England’s Rickie Lambert to help plug the gap left by Luis Suarez’s departure, but he could still make a move for another striker.
Rodgers is adamant Balotelli will not be coming to Anfield though.
“I can categorically tell you Mario Balotelli will not be at Liverpool,” Rodgers said last night.
“In my last press conference I was asked a question about Mario Balotelli and I talked about what a talent he was and what an excellent player he was.
“And the next day it was wrote as if we were signing him.
“I just gave my perception of him as a player. It shouldn’t be transmitted in to us signing the player.”
Rodgers has used the £75 million (€94m) he received for Suarez to fund the signings of Lambert, Origi, Emre Can, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Lazar Markovic.
Rodgers continues to be linked to more players though, the latest two being Sevilla star Alberto Moreno and Atletico Madrid defender Javier Manquillo.
Rodgers would not name any of his targets, but he admitted he is still in the market for new additions.
“We still have a few bits and pieces we would like to do to solidify the group, but there’s no names or definite signings yet.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool teenager Raheem Sterling claims he is in no hurry to be handed a new contract with the Premier League club in recognition of his stunning form last season.
Sterling said: “I don’t know anything about a new contract. I am just here, playing football, and if the manager comes to me with a new deal, then that’s his decision.
“But I’m not in any rush at all. I am happy to just be playing football.
“Hopefully, I will continue to learn and improve. This is a great environment to be in at this moment and I am really happy.”
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