Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Subject of Cut-Price Napoli Bid

Mario Balotelli's start to life at Liverpool hasn't gone according to plan, and according to the Daily Mirror's Martin Lipton, former Reds manager Rafael Benitez is planning to test Brendan Rodgers' resolve with a £10 million bid in January to bring the striker to Napoli.     

The Italian is yet to find the net for the Reds in Premier League action and has struggled adapting to the team's playing style so far, often drifting wide or dropping back when he should be attacking the ball in the box.

His debut alongside England international Daniel Sturridge looked promising, however, and an injury to the latter has had a large impact on Balotelli's early-season form.

The English media has been trashing him for a lack of impact and his already infamous shirt-swap with Pepe, according to ESPN FC's Kevin Palmer, and this report is just the latest shot fired.

The notion Rodgers would be willing to give up on Balotelli—one of the world's most talented yet divisive strikers—after only six months is absurd. It's not like the 24-year-old is stirring the pot, or not fitting in with his teammates; he's just struggling with form.

Teammates like Martin Skrtel have been echoing the same sentiments, as reported by Goal's Matthew Scott:

"

He is working hard and showed some good moments. Unfortunately we couldn't score the goal. I feel sorry for him.

He is working hard in training, he is working hard in the game. He just hasn't got the goals. We just believe in him. We will be supporting him and just hope he will start scoring.

"

Balotelli has always been driven by his emotions and confidence as a player, ever since he first exploded onto the world scene with Inter Milan. When he's being supported by teammates and media, like he was during the latter stages of Euro 2012, he has the talent to take over matches, evidenced by his performance against Germany.

But when he struggles, he really struggles, as evidenced by his current slump. Stories like Napoli's supposed interest in him won't help him get out of said slump, either.

The Partenopei have very solid offensive talent, including Gonzalo Higuain and Dries Mertens, but they've struggled in Serie A so far due to defensive lapses. In just eight matches they've already conceded 11 goals, via WhoScored.com.

Benitez and Company have no need for another striker, and their money will go to more important areas, namely defence. And unless Balotelli stirs the pot and causes greater distraction, Rodgers won't move his striker, either.

Balotelli still needs to show how he can coexist with Sturridge on the pitch. Rodgers acquired the Italian for the two to play together—he won't give up on his project before giving it a fair chance.

Super Mario may very well start scoring in the coming weeks, bringing an end to all of the controversy, drama and baseless rumours. For the sake of Liverpool and the man himself, let's hope he does.

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