Mario Balotelli has been out for six matches with a groin injury © Getty Images
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Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli is in contention to face Manchester United on Sunday as he steps up his recovery from a groin injury.
Balotelli is back in full training after a six-match absence, sources have told ESPN.
The 24-year-old has not played since the 2-1 Premier League defeat at home to Chelsea on November 8. His injury forced him to pull out of the Italy squad for their Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia eight days later.
But he has a chance of being involved at Old Trafford, where he scored twice in a 6-1 Manchester City victory on his last visit in October 2011.
Balotelli has not scored a league goal since his arrival from AC Milan for £16 million in August. And his form has been so poor that his long-term future at Anfield has been called into question just four months after he signed a three-year contract.
Manager Brendan Rodgers must decide whether to recall the striker as he bids to kick-start a season that has been a disappointment so far.
Rodgers' side are ninth in the Premier League - having finished second last season - and were eliminated from the Champions League by Swiss side Basel on Tuesday. They are also struggling for goals, having scored 11 times in their last 12 matches in all competitions.
The manager still has the full support of club owners Fenway Sports Group, but his team are six points adrift of a qualification spot for next season's Champions League, with key matches against United and Arsenal to come before Christmas.
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/378673.html#LZJyJpR01Jo5I1ZD.99
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