Steven Gerrard: 'The support is waiting to get behind Mario Balotelli'

Steven Gerrard believes that Liverpool's fans are waiting to get behind Mario Balotelli, insisting that the Italian will be given a platform to perform.

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers recently admitted that Balotelli is not Liverpool's main man, but captain Gerrard believes he can become a star on Merseyside.

"What about Mario? Does he want to grab it? Does he want to become a star at Liverpool?," Gerrard said in an interview with Sky Sports News. The support is waiting to get behind him and push him and it's all about whether he wants it or not. I believe he's capable.

"We know what type of character he is and that needs a bit of support, but he belongs to us now so it's up to me, the players and the staff to look after him and make sure we give him a platform to perform.

"We've not had too much of his character yet – only a few minor changes in the dressing room, like the music changing and a few little alterations we've had to make."

Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this weekend.