Rodgers Finally Running Out Of Patience With Mario Balotelli - Report

Brendan Rodgers is planning life at Liverpool without Mario Balotelli after he partied the night before Liverpool's Champions League match up with Basel, with details of him ignoring the manager's orders to go to bed revealed.

Balotelli was reportedly told not to stay out too late before the Champions League game, with Brendan Rodgers warning him before midnight to call it a night as he met with some Italian friends.

But the wayward star didn't listen to his manager and stayed out longer, finally leaving at 2am when he had to play a match the next day. He reportedly wasn't drinking but the incident is another straw in a long line of problems where he has shown little respect for the rules applied to other Liverpool players.

A source told the Sunday People of the incident: "Brendan Rodgers had to come and tell Mario not to stay up too long. He went over, tapped his watch and said, 'Not much longer Mario'.

"But he was having fun with his friends and didn't look about to curtail his night."

Balotelli is also believed to have had friends come and visit the Liverpool training complex which is against the rules for other players – and according to the Mirror, a senior England player within the club has complained to Rodgers about his behaviour and lack of respect.

When signing the 24 year old from Milan in the summer, Rodgers had hoped to be the manager to help Balotelli curb his wild behaviour. At the very least, he'd hoped the striker would produce on the pitch some of the brilliance that made him a star for Manchester City.

But with no goals in the Premier League so far this season Balotelli has disappointed both on and off the field and it is becoming more likely that he will exit the club as they fight to get back in the mix for a Champions League place let alone the title.