The Anfield boss knows he took a "calculated risk" when he signed the controversial striker from AC Milan in the summer.
But so far the £16m gamble hasn't paid off, with the ex-Manchester City man scoring just one goal as he tries to fill the void left by Luis Suarez.
Balotelli was poor again in Wednesday's Champions League defeat at Basel.
And with last season's runners-up 14th in the Premier League, Rodgers has told Balotelli he needs to improve.
"Mario is trying to work hard in the way we demand," said Rodgers.
"In terms of goals he needs to improve, there is no question. He has not hit the numbers he will have wanted."
Rodgers admits he was left with little choice about signing Balotelli after losing star striker Suarez to Barcelona.
He said: "Mario was the one right at the very end that was available.
"It was a calculated risk and it's something I have to try and make work for the team.
"There's no player who can replace Suarez. It was availability of other players that was difficult.
"There were very few who were top class that were available.
"It left us to take a calculated risk on a player who has quality - and then see if we could get that out of him consistently."
England striker Daniel Sturridge is set to miss the West Brom game tomorrow due to his ongoing thigh injury, but Rodgers confirmed he is close to agreeing a new five-year deal at Anfield.
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