Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli to Be Offered Escape Route by Napoli

Liverpool’s £16 million experiment with Mario Balotelli could be cut short in January, with reports suggesting Napoli are ready to take the perceived l’enfant terrible off their hands. 

The former Milan forward has scored just one goal for the Anfield outfit, and after some staggering instances of profligacy in front of goal and other moments of sheer ineptitude, Brendan Rodgers is reportedly ready to cash in on the forward.

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That’s according to fichajes.net (h/t Metro), which claims that despite a turbulent start to life at Anfield his stock remains high in Italy. So much so that former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is ready to part with £10 million to bring Balotelli back to Serie A, money that, according to the piece, the Reds would put towards a January bid for West Brom striker Saido Berahino.

Despite scoring 26 goals in 43 appearances for the Rossoneri, per soccerbase.com, Milan were happy to part with Balotelli for a cut-price premium. But with incessant rumours regarding the future of Napoli’s star striker Gonzalo Higuain, per Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star, it’d be no surprise if Benitez was on the lookout for a player that could fill the potential goalscoring void.

Here are some of Balotelli’s best moments from his spell at Milan:

Although Balotelli's golden touch seems to have deserted him in front of goal, it’d be a little misguided to completely write off his Anfield career at this juncture. Indeed, despite the glaring misses, his application and attitude have been admirable during his appearances in the iconic red jersey, as noted by Liverpool’s assistant manager Colin Pascoe, per Dov Rawson of 101 Great Goals:

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Everything will be alright with Mario because you know his hunger is there and he wants to win.

After every training session he wants to do shooting, passing – he wants to do everything, to work on his game. We as coaches will help him that way.

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While Balotelli has been branded as something of a scapegoat during the early days of his Liverpool career, the reality is that Rodgers has far more pressing concerns than the form of his No. 45. 

Most pertinently, he must sort out the defensive issues that have perpetually blighted this team, while the poor form of Steven Gerrard represents another quandary he must overcome. Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is also in wretched form, as noted here by Tony Barrett of The Times:

At the moment, Balotelli is having to shoulder the burden of being Liverpool’s main man, playing as a lone centre-forward against teams that are looking to be cohesive and nullify the Reds’ attacking weapons. It’s a role that doesn’t suit the Italian, but it’s one he seems to be gradually growing into, despite the unrelenting criticism he receives.

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When Liverpool turned to a two-striker formation against Hull in the latter stages of the game, Balotelli was a much more pertinent threat. Indeed, when he lined up alongside Daniel Sturridge at Tottenham on his debut for the Reds, the Italian was excellent in a 3-0 win. Going forward, that’s how Rodgers should be looking to get the best from the former Manchester City man.

It’s something the Liverpool manager has touched upon himself recently, per bwin:

According to Italy legend Andrea Pirlo, Balotelli also needs to feel the love of his coach, per Jack Gaughan of the Mail Online:

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The difference between other players and Mario is that every action he takes is going to be scrutinised. 

The media is interested in him, and things he does are going to be highlighted - where perhaps with other players they would not get such a reaction - or maybe even no reaction at all.

There is no question over his talent - I have played with him and I know how good he is and how good he can be. It is the job of the Liverpool coach to manage him in the right way.

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But having played for four major European teams at just 24 years old, perhaps there is something inherent in Balotelli that prevents him from settling down and making a sustained impression at a football club. Indeed, after the player’s shirt swapping faux pas against Real Madrid, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher claimed he doesn’t think the Italian will be at Anfield come next season, per Sky Sports.

Perhaps, despite the public backing, it’s something Rodgers has picked up on during the Italian's brief stint at the club and with that in mind, the manager could be happy to take a loss and move the player on. But for Balotelli—who would have faltered at four of Europe’s finest clubs should his Liverpool career be cut short—the only way would be down should he be nudged out of the Anfield exit door.

From the player’s perspective, that should be a real concern and, while his performances have been decent, he shouldn’t be sated. If these reports are to be believed, Balotelli may have to start finding the net as a matter of urgency if he’s to save his career on Merseyside.