Steven Gerrard urges Mario Balotelli to "keep working hard"

Steven Gerrard has encouraged his Liverpool teammate Mario Balotelli to "keep working hard" as his search for a first Premier League goal for the club continues.

The £16m summer signing from AC Milan missed a handful of opportunities to break his duck during this afternoon's 3-2 win at Queens Park Rangers, including one which saw him fire well over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

However, with the creative players at his disposal, skipper Gerrard has urged the Italian international to keep plugging away.

"He's got to keep working hard and not get himself down. Playing around players like Coutinho, Sterling and Henderson he will get chances," he told BBC Sport.

Balotelli's one goal for the Reds came during the Champions League victory over Ludogorets last month.