Liverpool manager defends Balotelli.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed rumours that Mario Balotelli kicked an opponent in the head during a training game with Wolves during the international break.

The £16-million striker was involved in an incident with the Championship club's George Saville.

Meanwhile Danny Welbeck was let go by Manchester United because he wasn't good enough, according to manager Louis van Gaal.

The Dutch boss has been taking flak from some ex-Old Trafford stars for letting homegrown players like Welbeck and Tom Cleverley leave the club.

But van Gaal says Welbeck had plenty of time to prove himself.