Martin Skrtel has admitted that he sympathises with Liverpool teammate Mario Balotelli over his goalscoring woes, but backed the striker to hit top form soon.

Balotelli's performance was under the spotlight in the Reds' 0-0 draw with Hull City on Saturday after indifferent displays against Queens Park Rangers and Real Madrid.

However, he now finds himself under further pressure after missing a late chance to down the Tigers and end a personal record of eight games without a goal for Liverpool.

"He is working hard and showed some good moments. I feel sorry for him," the defender told Sky Sports News.

"He is working hard in training, he is working hard in the game. He just hasn't got the goals. We just believe in him. We will be supporting him and just hope he will start scoring goals."

The Italy international, 24, joined Liverpool for £16m in August after a one-and-a-half-year stint with AC Milan. His only goal thus far came in the 2-1 win over Ludogorets Razgrad last month.