Hull manager Steve Bruce believes people are unfairly "picking on" Mario Balotelli, after the Liverpool striker swapped shirts with Real Madrid's Pepe at half-time on Wednesday.

The Italian made the exchange as his side trailed Real by three goals in the Champions League encounter and was substituted at the break.

Hull travel to Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday and Bruce believes Balotelli is not playing as badly as some are suggesting.