Liverpool injury news: Mario Balotelli a doubt for Bournemouth Capital One Cup game

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says Mario Balotelli is a doubt for the Capital One Cup quarter-final against Bournemouth on Wednesday night (17 December) and the striker will need to be assessed before the match.

The former Manchester City forward suffered an injury in November while on international duty, missing the following four Premier League games and as well the Champions League matches against Ludogorets and Basel.

The Italy international returned to action during the 3-0 defeat against Manchester United on Sunday (14 December), coming off the bench at half time in an attempt that failed to turn the situation around.

And while Balotelli was unable to break his Premier League goal drought – he is yet to score in the league since his summer move to Anfield – Rodgers has revealed concerns over his fitness ahead of the game with Bournemouth.

When asked for an update on any injuries within the squad, the manager said: "There is nothing new. Mario [Balotelli] has had a problem with his groin that has been ongoing, so we'll assess that.

"But apart from that, everyone should be fine."

After a disappointing start to the campaign, even though the Merseyside team face Arsenal at the weekend, Rodgers suggested he will not rest many key players for the Bournemouth match.

"This is the first cup competition that you can win, so it was always a priority for me. We wanted to do well in it," the manager said.

"At the moment we're only looking at the next game, but that's something that I've always done throughout my time here. The next game is the most important.

"Of course, we've got a big game at the weekend on top of that. But the idea is to go into the game tomorrow night to win and I'll pick the team that I think can win the game."