Brendan Rodgers: 'Mario Balotelli to miss Sunderland visit'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Mario Balotelli will remain sidelined for this weekend's Premier League meeting against Sunderland.

The controversial Italian striker, who was this week caught up in a fresh FA storm after posting what was deemed to be a racist and anti-Semitic post on Instagram, has not played for the Reds in almost a month due to a groin injury.

Balotelli was rumoured to be closing in on a return, although he will have to wait a little while longer with Saturday's game at Anfield coming too soon for him.

There is some good news for Liverpool supporters, however, with Rodgers confirming that playmaker Philippe Coutinho is likely to recover from a knee problem in time to feature.

Liverpool head into the match on the back of successive victories in the Premier League.