Mario Balotelli has shaken off an illness to be fit to make
his Liverpool home debut against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that the Italy striker
missed training on Thursday because he was sick.
The 16 million-pound signing from AC Milan, though, is set
to play a key role in Liverpool's attack, as Daniel Sturridge faces up to three
weeks out with a thigh injury sustained in training while on England duty last
Friday.
Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo: "Mario has had a bit
of a bug that we wanted to make sure he didn't spread around the group.
"But he'll be OK for Saturday. I think he has felt the
warmth of the club since he's been here and I'm sure he will look forward to
playing at Anfield."
Balotelli played for 61 minutes on his Liverpool debut
shortly before the international break, as they earned a 3-0 Premier League win
at Tottenham on Aug. 31. His availability is a boost for Rodgers, who faces
being without several players against Villa.
In addition to losing Sturridge, the manager must do without
midfielder Emre Can, who is set to be out for six weeks with ankle ligament
damage sustained as Germany beat Romania 8-0 in a European Under-21
Championship qualifier on Tuesday.
Centre-back Martin Skrtel remains out with the knee problem
that forced him to miss the win at Tottenham, and so Mamdou Sakho is likely to
continue alongside Dejan Lovren in the middle of defence.
Glen Johnson is unavailable because of the thigh injury he
suffered during the 3-1 defeat at Manchester City on Aug. 25, while fellow
full-back Jon Flanagan is recovering from a knee problem sustained in
preseason.
Joe Allen is a doubt after injuring his knee during Wales'
2-1 victory in Andorra in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Tuesday, but fellow
midfielder Adam Lallana -- signed in the summer from Southampton -- could make
his debut, having regained full fitness following a preseason knee injury.
Rodgers said: "Martin Skrtel won't be available for the
weekend, but we hope he'll join up with the team when we train on Sunday.
"Glen Johnson still has a wee way to go. Young Jon
Flanagan is edging towards fitness but he's still not in the squad yet.
"Joe Allen picked up a knock while he's been away with
Wales, so we just need to assess that for the weekend."
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