Gerrard backs Balotelli to shine

Gerrard backs Balotelli to shine

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has backed striker Mario Balotelli to shine at the club.

The striker who moved from AC Milan to Liverpool this summer has had a start to forget. Balotelli who was sold by Manchester City prior to joining Milan had Premier League experience as he spent two and a half years in England. Liverpool purchased Mario for a 16 million this summer. But since his move, he has just found the net twice in ten games.

Balotelli who scored 26 times for Milan in his second spell in Italy has been left out of the Italian national side by new coach Conte, who prefers Zaza, Immobile and Pelle over Liverpool's controversial striker.

But club captain Steven Gerrard has insisted that, the striker just needs time to settle in. Mario who hasn't scored in the league in seven games running now was dubbed as a 'Panic' buy by former Liverpool defender and now Sky reporter Jamie Carragher.

Yet Gerrard said: "You have to respect Jamie's opinion. He knows football but it's too early to get on Mario's back.

"He just needs time to score the goals he needs to prove to people he is worthy of staying here. I am not going to judge him after 10 games. To come in after Suarez was always going to be a big ask and he's not feeling sorry for himself. He is working hard, doing extra shooting sessions.

"I've actually been impressed (with) the way he goes about his work. You hear all kinds of stories and rumors before you meet him, but he does all the work. I like the guy."