Brendan Rodgers
Rodgers does not have any fresh injury concerns ahead of his side's Boxing Day clash at BurnleyReuters

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers does not have any fresh injury concerns ahead of his side's Boxing Day trip to Burnley, but Daniel Sturridge and Dejan Lovren still remain sidelined.

Italian striker Mario Balotelli is available for the Burnley trip after a one-match suspension following his racist remarks on social media, but Rodgers confirmed that Joe Allen, Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan, who are out with a knee, groin and knee injury respectively, are still recovering.

"[Mario] becomes available, but there's no-one else [back] - Joe Allen, Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan are still out," Rodgers told Liverpool's official website.

"The most important thing is Mario is available after his ban. It adds another player to our squad and another player who is available, especially with Fabio Borini unavailable [due to suspension]."

Although Balotelli is likely to start against Burnley on Boxing Day due to Liverpool currently having a shortage of strikers, Rodgers says that the Italian, who has been very poor this season, will have to adapt to a bench role in the future.

"It's something he would have to get used to," the Liverpool manager told Guardian. "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."

Rodgers, who purchased Balotelli for £16 million from AC Milan out of sheer desperation after failing to land his primary targets this summer, now admits that the Italian may not be the right player for Liverpool.

"We have seen it's not really his game. Working with him [Balotelli] for the period of time he's been here we have seen that he's probably someone who's better in and around the box."

"That level of intensity and pressing isn't part of his game. But you try to get the best out of the players you have and the qualities they have. So that's something we will focus on. The most important thing is he is now available and adds another player to the squad."

Meanwhile, Mamadou Sakho is likely to retain his starting place against Burnley, with Lovren still recovering from a groin injury.