English Premier League News: Liverpool Defender Martin Skrtel Expressed His Sympathy For Under-Fire-Team-Mate Mario Balotelli

The 24-year-old striker has failed to score for the Reds since his £16million move from AC Milan in August

Balotelli failed to convert a stoppage-time chance to take three points against Hull City on Saturday, which followed his open-goal miss against QPR last week.

A bookmaker ridiculed Balotelli's recent performances, offering fans outside Anfield the chance to trade in shirts bearing his name.

The controversial Italian was also spotted swapping shirts at half-time during Liverpool's 0-3 defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Sktrel said: "He is working hard and showed some good moments. I feel sorry for him. 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."

Liverpool has won just four of their nine games and Skrtel says he takes little satisfaction from an improved defensive showing.

He added: "It is normal when you are conceding goals that the back four and the keeper will always be the first to be blamed.

"We fixed it, we got a clean sheet, but we couldn't get the three points, so that's not good enough. We played for the points. We could have won and it's disappointing.

"I would have preferred to win 5-4 and get three points than draw 0-0 and geta point. I think we played well and just couldn't score the goal."