Hull City manager Steve Bruce has admitted that it seems that Mario Balotelli has become "the whipping boy" at Liverpool.

The Italian has been criticised for his recent performances and for swapping shirts with Pepe during Liverpool's Champions League clash with Real Madrid, but Bruce, who takes Hull to Anfield on Saturday, believes that he is being unfairly treated.

The 53-year-old told reporters: "From the outside, he seems to be the whipping boy at the moment. I think that it's a bit unfair on the lad."

Balotelli, who signed from AC Milan during the summer, has scored just one goal for the Merseyside outfit this season.