Mario Balotelli thanks Liverpool fans for restraining him against Man United

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has praised the supporters who prevented him from possibly getting sent off during his side's match against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

The Italy international, who was on a yellow card, collided with Chris Smalling on the touchline, but a number of fans stopped him from confronting the United defender by holding him back by his shoulders.

Should Balotelli have been sent off, Liverpool would have been down to nine men as they had already lost captain Steven Gerrard to a red card just 38 seconds after he came on as a substitute in the Reds' 2-1 defeat.

When referring to the fans' help, Balotelli wrote on Facebook: "Besides all efforts the game didn't go our way. But one thing was real clear: I wasn't alone on the pitch. YNWA."