Brendan Rodgers tells Mario Balotelli: 'You must get better in training'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said that striker Mario Balotelli has to improve in training before he is considered for the team again.

The £16m signing from AC Milan was left out of the Reds' squad again as they drew 0-0 with Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup fourth-round on Saturday, and Rodgers confirmed that his omission is down to a lack of form.

He told reporters: "If you want to contribute you have to be at it every single day in training in order to be in the squad on matchday.

"We had an hour or so yesterday chatting and he understands where he is at. He knows exactly what is required to be in this squad before he can be in the team.

"It is difficult for him but he knows the level of what this team is at - you see the aggression in our pressing and if you can't do that you are not going to be a part of what this team is trying to achieve."

Liverpool next play Chelsea in the second leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final, with the scores level at 1-1 from the tie at Anfield.