The Daily Mail have made the majority of our punters here in the Football Transfer Tavern look up with shock as it is claimed Brendan Rodgers has cast further doubt over the future of Mario Balotelli.

The Italian international forward will be spending a fair bit of time on the bench if Rodgers’ remarks are anything to go by, and it seems that the Reds boss is potentially regretting his summer decision to sign him.

Balotelli again featured not in the Reds’ starting eleven but instead on the bench against Burnley in the fixture at Turf Moor earlier today with Raheem Sterling yet again featuring as a false number nine.

It appears that despite his arrival for £16 million, Rodgers is losing faith in his ability to trust Balotelli, instead being more willing to try a traditional winger through the middle in Sterling.

In regards to Balotelli starting as a sub, Rodgers claimed: “It’s something he would have to. If the team is going to need him from the bench, then it’s something he would have to become adjusted to.

“It’s the same for every single player, not just him. When called upon — whether it’s to start a game or come off the bench — you ask your players to be ready.”

As one of our punters notes, we think that this is a signal that Balotelli is moving closer and closer to the exit door at Anfield.