Rodgers - Balotelli shirt swap 'case closed'

Balotelli has come under fire for swapping shirts with Pepe at half-time. Credit: PA

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says that he has had a conversation with Mario Balotelli over his half-time shirt swap with Real Madrid's Pepe and considers the issue to be 'case closed'.

It's been reported that the Italian will be fined, but the any details of a punishment would be kept internal, said the manager.

"Any action I would take with Mario [Balotelli] would be kept within ourselves. We've had a conversation. Case closed." said Rodgers at today's press conference.

The Reds boss added: "There’s been no reaction to Mario Balotelli’s shirt swap from the rest of the squad but speculation is inevitable."

Rodgers also cast some doubt about Balotelli's long-term future at Anfield after another lacklustre display against Madrid: "Mario is working hard on the training field. As long as he's doing his best that's all I can ask for. Whether Mario's best is good enough longer term, that remains to be seen."