Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has leapt to the defence of misfiring striker Mario Balotelli and believes that he will rediscover his best form.
Balotelli's goalscoring woes continued at Loftus Road as the Italy international spurned a series of chances - including an open goal - in today's 3-2 win over Queens Park Rangers.
The 24-year-old - a £16m signing from AC Milan - is yet to score a Premier League goal for Liverpool, but Rodgers insists that the goals will come.
"It'll drop for the boy," he told reporters. "The most important thing to me is his work rate. He's working really hard. It'll drop for him."
There is arguably added pressure on Balotelli to fill the goalscoring void left by Luis Suarez, who scored 31 times last season before sealing a £75m move to Barcelona.
"He's seen as a direct replacement to Luis. I've said before, Luis is irreplaceable, a real world-class talent," the Northern Irishman added.
"That's not what's being asked of Mario. He's a great boy, I've enjoyed working with him. He wants to be better. He's a completely different player to Luis."
Balotelli's solitary Liverpool goal came in last month's Champions League win over Ludogorets Razgrad.
Shane Callaghan
