Liverpool Attacker A Doubt To Face Arsenal After Aggravating Injury

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli is facing a race against time to be fit to play Arsenal this weekend after being ruled out of tonight’s Capital One Cup quarter-final with Bournemouth, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Balotelli missed six matches throughout November and December after picking up a groin problem while away with the Italian national team during the international break last month.

The 24-year-old made his return to action as a second half substitute during Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

However, the Liverpool Echo claim he aggravated the injury during that clash and has now been ruled out of tonight’s League Cup clash with Bournemouth.

The newspaper suggests that Balotelli has been left back at Liverpool’s Melwood training base to undergo treatment in the hope that he’ll be able to recover in time to play Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners come to Anfield this weekend sitting five points ahead of the Merseysiders in the Premier League table so Brendan Rodgers will be desperate to pick up a win and close the gap on one of their top four rivals.

Balotelli has endured a disappointing start to life at Liverpool following his £16m move from AC Milan in the summer having failed to register a single league goal in his 10 appearances so far, but Rodgers will still be keen for the Italian international to be fit and available against Arsenal to give him another option up front.

Rickie Lambert has deputised admirably in recent weeks but has began to look tired and Rodgers was forced to play Raheem Sterling through the middle against United before Balotelli’s introduction after the break.