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Daniel Sturridge has jumped to the defence of “misunderstood” Mario Balotelli – and is eager to strike up a partnership with the Italian at Liverpool FC.

Balotelli has come under fire after struggling for from following his £16million signing from AC Milan in August.

The Italian's equaliser in Tuesday's Capital One Cup fourth round win over Swansea City was only his second goal in 12 appearances.

But Sturridge – who has played alongside Balotelli only once due to injury – is confident the new boy can prove a major asset for Brendan Rodgers' side.

“Mario’s a great guy, and he’s misunderstood sometimes,” said Sturridge.

“A lot of people are harsh on him. I get on really well with him, though. I have nothing but good words to say about him.

“We get on well off the field and in the changing rooms. We’re always laughing and joking.

“It’s not hugely important to be friends to have a great (football) relationship with somebody, and if you’re not friends you can still have a great partnership, but you can also be friends and have a great partnership.

“Once I get back fit I’m hoping we can strike up a partnership.

“Last season with Luis (Suarez) we had a great relationship up front and scored a lot of goals. Hopefully this season it will be the same.”

Balotelli wasn't helped by the furore that surrounded his decision to swap shirts with Real Madrid defender Pepe during half-time of Liverpool's 3-0 Champions League defeat at Anfield last week.

And while Sturridge admits the Italian may never fully evade the spotlight, he has urged people not to be over-critical of the 24-year-old.

“Mario has been under the microscope,” he added, talking to TalkSPORT. “That will always be the case when you play for a big club. You are going to have a lot of eyes on you.

“He’s working hard on the training field. People have told me he’s working tirelessly to play the way we play.

“It’s difficult moving to a new club and having new team-mates, it doesn’t (always) just click straight away.

“Everybody is helping him and he’s playing well. Sometimes you don’t get the breaks in terms of scoring goals. Every striker goes through times when they don’t score.

“A lot of stories have been put out about him in the past which aren’t true. For him, it’s difficult to shake off the celebrity (tag).

“He’s a likeable person. I don’t have any bad words to say about him. People don’t realise what he’s been through in his life to get where he is today.”