Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will stand by Mario Balotelli after their 0-0 draw with Hull City.
The Italian saw a full 90, but drew another blank.
Rodgers said: "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.
"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."
Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho both went close in the closing minutes before Balotelli was denied at point-blank range by Jakupovic.
Rodgers said: "It was a big chance. We had one or two of those but we couldn't quite put the ball in the net.
"He will be disappointed he hasn't scored but, for the team, it was a big effort on the back of playing against a good team in midweek."
