Mario Balotelli: Liverpool striker suffers hamstring injury with Italy

Mario Balotelli has yet to score a Premier League goal for Liverpool

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has been sent back to the club after picking up a hamstring injury on international duty with Italy.

The Italian Football Association said the 24-year-old suffered the problem during training.

Balotelli is now out of his country's Euro 2016 qualifier at home against Croatia on Sunday and the friendly with Albania on Tuesday.

Liverpool's next game is against Crystal Palace on 23 November.

Balotelli may be a doubt for that game but his absence could be eased by the potential return of fellow Reds forward Daniel Sturridge.

Sturridge has resumed full training having been out with hamstring and calf injuries since playing for England on 3 September.