Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has insisted that he and his teammates will help Mario Balotelli succeed at at the club following his summer switch.

The Italy international secured a move to Anfield from AC Milan for a reported £16m fee, but is yet to get off the mark after two appearances.

The former Manchester City striker, whose off-field activity is prone to make the headlines, is expected to start in tonight's Champions League Group B game against Bulgarian side Ludogorets at Anfield.

"If people want to write stories about him and say that he is crazy or he is a nutter, let them, but he is one of us now," Gerrard told the Daily Mail. "We have welcomed him into this club with open arms and we want to help him succeed.

"Everyone is hoping he is going to be a hit. He has got a great set of teammates who will work for him and back him. He has got to do the same for us."

Balotelli was bought following the departure of Luis Suarez, who joined Barcelona in the summer.