Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has backed the club's supporters to help get the best out of Mario Balotelli.

The Reds skipper believes that the fans can have a big part to play in unlocking the Italy international's potential at Anfield this season, following his £16m move from AC Milan last week.

Speaking to the club's official website, Gerrard said: "With all due respect to Manchester City and AC Milan, Mario is going to get a different kind of support here.

"These are the best fans in the world and traditionally they always get behind our strikers. I've told him it's there for him.

"If he plays well and works hard for these supporters, they'll get behind him. He won't have experienced support like that he's about to get."

Both Gerrard and Balotelli were part of the Liverpool side that beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 on Sunday.

Written by
Paul Gorst