Rodgers warns Balotelli to train harder with team everyday to be part of matchday squad

Liverpool football team manager Brendan Rodgers has warned Italian striker Mario Balotelli to train harder with the team everyday in order to be in the squad on matchday.

Balotelli has yet to score in the league for Liverpool since arriving in the summer for 16 million pounds, and was omitted from the squad for the FA Cup tie against Bolton.

Rodgers claimed that Balotelli knows exactly what is required to be in this squad before he can be in the team, the BBC reported.

Balotelli faces increased pressure as forward Daniel Sturridge is set to return against West Ham United next Saturday.

Sturridge, who scored 28 goals last season, has been out of action since August with calf and thigh injuries, and would begin training with the first team on Sunday. He has an outside chance of featuring against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup semifinal second leg on Tuesday.

That leaves Balotelli under increased pressure, with Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert also competing for one of the striker spots in the matchday squad.

Rodgers said that he is judging it every day in training, adding that the Italian is exactly the same as every other player, there is no special treatment for anyone.

He added that Borini and Lambert are working tirelessly in training and when they go on they have contributed and young Jordan Rossiter has been brilliant in training and he has to judge it on that.

Rodgers insisted that if one wants to contribute they have to be at it every single day in training in order to be in the squad on matchday.

Rodgers claimed that it is difficult for Balotelli but added that the striker knows the level of where this team is at and if one can't do that they are not going to be a part of what this team is trying to achieve.

Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw against Championship side Bolton in the fourth round of the FA Cup, the report added.