Hull City boss Steve Bruce has claimed that Mario Balotelli has unfairly become Liverpool's "whipping boy".
The Italian striker has struggled to make an impact at Anfield following his £16m move from AC Milan in the summer, and spurned a glorious late chance as the Tigers held the Reds to a goalless draw on Saturday afternoon.
Bruce told reporters after the game: "I have to be fair to Balotelli, he was their best player. The kid is a talent and it seems he is the whipping boy at the minute.
"If you play well, you will take something out of the game. We are delighted and it is a good result here for a club like us."
The draw leaves Bruce's side ninth in the Premier League after nine games this season.
