Rodgers: Balotelli's theme is closed

FC Liverpool's head coach Brendan Rodgers commented on the Act of striker Mario Balotelli at half-time of the match with Real Madrid, when Italian exchanged t-shirts with Real Madrid's Defender Pepe.

"We have responded to the Act with Balotelli inside the Club. We talked about what we can do in this country and, in particular, in our Club and what not. Topic closed. It seems to me that talk about Balottelli, he deserves criticism or not, it's part of football, and they always will be," - said Rogers.

The match with Liverpool vs Real Madrid was held October 22 at "Anfield" and Blancos won with a score of 3: 0.

Giuseppe Rossi Lined Up As An Option For Liverpool

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is reportedly considering a gamble on Villarreal’s Giuseppe Rossi as he bids to solve his striker shortage in January.

The former Manchester United man would be available for a relatively low fee, as he would not be available for selection until March at the earliest as he bids to recover from his second knee ligament injury.

However, according to The People, Rodgers may be prepared to take a punt on the Italian international in the hope that he can help fire the Reds up the table in the crucial final third of the season.

Rodgers currently has Luis Suarez as his only recognized option up front, and admitted that his forward line will be his main priority to strengthen in the New Year.

‘We're looking to do business in the striking department in January,’ Rodgers told TalkSport.

‘The reality is that there was always going to be a bit of movement this season with the club trying to regain some of their money. This season was always going to be difficult.

‘We'll look to do something in the January transfer window, though. There's not going to be wholesale changes in terms of players coming in, that's the reality of where the club is at.

‘We're looking to grow over the next six months, we'll get some reinforcements in January and that will support the group who has been magnificent for me so far.

‘Hopefully in the summer we can build again.’

Rossi has not played a league game for Villarreal in 13 months, but despite his fitness problems, Liverpool will face stiff competition should they decide to move for the 25-year-old, as reports in Italy claim Inter Milan have already agreed a deal with the player.

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Match Preview: Liverpool vs Swansea

The main talking point in the build-up to this Capital One Cup tie will surround Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who will be coming up against his former employers for the first time on Wednesday night. Luis Suarez may also start the tie because of Liverpool's lack of options in the goalscoring department.

The hosting Reds have been tipped to make a number of changes to their starting lineup, with the likes of Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Jamie Carragher all believed to be in contention. Liverpool and Swansea have not faced each other too many times. In their previous two meetings, Swansea has won once. The other meeting finished in a draw. Swansea can play good football and has done so for much of this campaign. They will trouble Liverpool undoubtedly.

Rodgers already has a relationship with Drogba

Liverpool is being linked with a shock loan move for ex-Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. Rodgers already has a relationship with Drogba from his time on the Chelsea coaching staff, and the striker’s parent club is reportedly willing to agree the deal providing Drogba returns for the start of the new season.

A move to Merseyside could jeopardize Drogba’s position as a Chelsea legend however, especially if he played for the Reds in the clash against the Blues in west London on November 11th. The 34-year-old Ivory Coast international left Stamford Bridge for China in the summer, joining Shanghai Shenhua on a free transfer after lifting the Champions League trophy under Roberto Di Matteo.

However, The Sunday People claims Drogba could make a quick return to the Premier League, joining Liverpool on loan when the Chinese season comes to an end next week.

The paper claims that Reds boss Brendan Rodgers will make an ‘extraordinary SOS call’ to bring the player to Anfield on a two-month deal, with Drogba looking to maintain his fitness ahead of the African Cup of Nation, which begins in January. Liverpool is desperately short of options in attack, with Uruguayan hitman Luis Suarez the only fit senior forward currently on the club’s books.

Rodgers: Suarez treatment wrong and unfair

Brendan Rodgers has hit out at the unjust vilification of striker Luis Suarez after more diving allegations were levelled at him.Only a couple of weeks ago the Northern Irishman felt the need to not only to speak out publicly about the treatment the Uruguay international was receiving on the pitch but also raise the subject with referees chief Mike Riley.In Sunday's goalless draw at home to Stoke, Suarez went down theatrically in the penalty area which led to Potters manager Pulis calling for three-match bans for players who dive.

Defender Robert Huth has, however, escaped punishment despite appearing to stamp on Suarez after the Football Association confirmed the incident was seen by officials at the time and therefore no further action can be taken. That has left Rodgers outraged.

«As manager of this football club I find it incredible that in nearly all the coverage about Luis Suarez this weekend, very little focus has been placed on the fact that he was actually the victim of a stamping incident within the first five minutes of the game,».

«At this moment there seems to be one set of rules for Luis and another set for everyone else. I believe some people need to develop a sense of perspective and I also believe in this moment the vilification of Luis is both wrong and unfair.»
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