Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush keeping faith in Mario Balotelli

Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush has insisted that Mario Balotelli will come good at the club after scoring against Swansea City.

The Italian netted for the first time in eight games on Tuesday night during the team's dramatic win over Swansea in the League Cup.

While admitting that there are still some doubts over Balotelli's suitability for Liverpool, Rush believes that the 24-year-old will now have the confidence to make a bigger impact on the side.

"People are always quick to have a go at someone like him when it's not going well, but I think you have to believe in what he's doing and hopefully this goal will give him the confidence to do that," he told Sky Sports News.

"When you look at Balotelli, he needs to learn the way that they play. The way Liverpool play maybe a little bit different than to what he's used to, but he's got to learn the way that Liverpool play, he's got to learn how to get behind defenders as well as hold the ball up. And with time that will come."

Liverpool return to Premier League action on Saturday when they face a resurgent Newcastle United at St James' Park.