Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers felt Mario Balotelli worked tirelessly in the 0-0 draw with Hull City on Saturday.
The Italian striker, who was subbed off at half-time of the Champions League loss to Real Madrid midweek, was up front for the entire 90 minutes as the Reds were held by the Tigers at Anfield.
Balotelli received plenty of criticism after the loss to Real, especially for swapping shirts with Pepe at half-time, but Rodgers was full of praise for his toiling effort against a stingy Hull defence.
"I thought he worked very well, very hard. He maybe thought he wasn't going to play today but you have got to stay with it. He is working hard and he is doing his best," Rodgers said.
"Unfortunately it is that wee bit of confidence sometimes, when you don't get the goal. He kept going, kept getting into the areas.
"Sometimes with players if it's not going so well they have a day where they don't train or don't work, but he puts himself out to train every single day. He is out there wanting to be better, wanting to improve.
"Goalscorers will tell you they get their energy from the ball hitting the back of the net and it is just not happening for him in terms of that, but all I will ask is they do their best. You saw today's reaction. It was unlucky he didn't get the goal."
The former Manchester City and AC Milan forward has netted just once for Liverpool in 11 outings since his £16million shift to Merseyside.
