Brendan Rodgers backs Mario Balotelli despite Italian failing to score again for Liverpool in Hull draw

Liverpool football team manager Brendan Rodgers has praised his striker Mario Balotelli despite the Italian again failing to score in a goalless draw with Hull City.

Balotelli signed for Liverpool in August but has not netted in seven Premier League games and missed two excellent chances at Anfield. However, Rodgers said that he thought the striker worked very well and very hard. Rodgers said that Balotelli might be thinking that wasn't going to play but one has got to stay with it. He said that the striker is working hard and doing his best, The BBC reported.

Balotelli had a first-half shot well saved by Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic and also failed to connect from close range with a last-minute chance that would have won the game.

The former Manchester City forward has only scored once in 11 Liverpool games, against Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League, but Rodgers believes the goals will soon come.

The Northern Irishman said that sometimes with players if it's not going so well they have a day where they don't train or don't work, but added that Balotelli puts himself out to train every single day.

Rodgers said that Balotelli is out there wanting to be better, wanting to improve, and added that the striker kept going, kept getting into the areas.

The latest draw against Hull left Liverpool, Premier League runners-up last season, eight points behind leaders Chelsea, who play at Manchester United on Sunday.