• Champions League

Rodgers plays down Balotelli's supporter snub

Brendan Rodgers has told Mario Balotelli he "needs to do more" but played down reports the striker refused to acknowledge Liverpool's fans after Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League defeat to Basel in Switzerland.

Balotelli has scored just one goal since his £16 million summer move from AC Milan, against Champions League minnows Ludogorets, and Rodgers has warned his striker that the fans will get on his back if he does not become more prolific.

However, he refused to confirm that the striker may also have sullied his reputation with supporters by disappearing down the tunnel rather than going to applaud them after Wednesday's defeat.

"I'm not sure if he went back out to say thanks to the fans because I came straight here," Rodgers said in his post-match press conference.

"But I was speaking to one or two of the players to make sure they did that - it's important, our supporters have travelled a long way and that is why it's important they acknowledge the support, and what they have put in to get here."

Rodgers take on Balotelli's performance in Basel was more clear cut: "In terms of his behaviour since he's come in here, he's consciously trying to work hard at the aspects of the game that we would demand here at Liverpool, in terms of his intensity and his workrate.

"In terms of goals, he needs to improve. It's as simple as that. As a striker, any striker, you're judged on your goals and your game, and the number of assists you provide. At this moment, he probably hasn't hit the numbers he would want to.

"And that's something over the course of the team, really. We need to return to being a team. That's what has brought us success over the last 18 months or so.

"We've been selfless in our work for each other. I think at the minute, which is natural when confidence is a little bit low in the team, it can become more about the individual. That isn't what we're about. We're about the whole function of the team. And when we work to that principle, that's when we're at our best."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd