Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is backing Mario Balotelli to fully take on the responsibility of being the club's leading striker.
The enigmatic Italian striker was purchased for £16million from AC Milan in the summer following the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona earlier in the transfer window.
Ahead of Tuesday's opening Champions League fixture against Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad, Rodgers spoke about Balotelli and how he will soon adjust to being the senior attacker at Anfield due to his experience in European football.
"Time will tell. The boy is only just in the door," said Rodgers.
"The best players enjoy that responsibility and I am sure it is one he is relishing but on the training field he is going to work hard to accept that responsibility knowing he has been brought in here to do a job which is to create and score "He was unfortunate he was ill last week and it was only on the morning of the game (Saturday's defeat to Aston Villa) he declared himself fit to play, which shows he really wanted to get out and play here.
"He is also experienced as well. He is arguably one of the most experienced players we have in terms of this competition and international calibre and at club level."
