Mario Balotelli should be given more support, former Liverpool forward Ryan Babel has told talkSPORT.
Balotelli has made the headlines a number of times during his career and not necessarily for his performances on the pitch.
The Italy international was again the centre of attention this week when on Tuesday he issued an apology after an image he re-posted on Instagram on Monday led to accusations of racism and anti-Semitism.
The FA has since confirmed to ESPN that it is investigating whether to charge Balotelli for bringing "the game into disrepute by making comments which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race."
Babel, who struggled to fulfil his potential during three-and-a-half years at Anfield, has sympathy for the 24-year-old, who signed for the Reds from AC Milan in the summer.
The Dutchman said: "People think every player should be treated the same, but sometimes you have exceptional players who need a different approach to get the best out of them, and that is Mario.
"I don't know him personally, but judging from the outside he should have different support. We know he has potential and is a good player. He has shown that before at other teams.
"If I look at myself, people said in the past I didn't show it [my best form] every week.
"I also felt I didn't really have the optimum support to get the best out of me, so I think maybe it's the same with Mario. But I still believe in his quality."