MARIO Balotelli has been ruled out of Liverpool’s League Cup quarter-final with Cherries, according to reports in the Liverpool Echo.
The £16m striker apparently did not travel south with the rest of Brendan Rodgers’ squad tonight after aggravating a groin problem in Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United.
The decision was taken for Balotelli to remain at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground to undergo treatment in the hope that he will be fit for this weekend's crunch Premier League clash with Arsenal at Anfield.
Balotelli only returned to action as a second-half substitute at Old Trafford after missing the six previous matches with a groin strain. The Italian has only scored twice in 15 appearances for the club.
Defender Glen Johnson has also been ruled out after tearing his groin at Old Trafford. The full-back will miss Liverpool’s entire festive programme.
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