Mario Balotelli: Liverpool striker must score more, says Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has told striker Mario Balotelli he must score more after a slow start to his Anfield career.

The Italian, 24, has only managed one goal in seven appearances since his £16m summer transfer from AC Milan.

"In terms of goals he needs to improve, it is as simple as that," said Rodgers.

"Not just him but any striker is judged on goals and at this moment he hasn't probably hit the numbers he would want to."

Balotelli did not touch the ball in the opposition penalty area during Liverpool's Champions League defeat to Basel on Wednesday, but his manager offered a qualified defence.

"That is down to the team. You have to get yourself into those areas but it was about the service arriving in and our quality wasn't to the standard," added Rodgers.

"But you also have to be able to score and create goals yourself as a front player and he didn't do that."