Napoli star not the answer to Liverpool’s mounting problems

If a blaze is raging no fire fighter worth their salt will attempt to put it out by fanning the flames and this is exactly what Brendan Rodgers would be doing is he brings yet another attacking midfielder to Liverpool.

Latest rumours suggest the Reds will try and lure highly-rated midfielder Marek Hamsik away from a stuttering Napoli side in January.

However, as fine a player as the Slovakian playmaker is, Hamsik is not the sort of player this wayward Liverpool side should be lining up.

Even those minds less sharp than the razor-like grey matter on the Sky Sports pundit’s desk can see the Liverpool of 2014/15 is a pale imitation of the rip-roaring goal machine of last season.

Luis Suarez’s exit and Daniel Sturridge’s injury lay-off are easily attributable factors, but there are still numerous attacking talents from last season still present, plus a selection box of new faces.

The likes of Adam Lallana just haven’t clicked yet and to compound matters, the same defensive frailties which often went unpunished thanks to a glut of goals at the other end en-route to second place, have lingered on into a fresh term.

Liverpool’s latest loss in the Champions League at Basel has applied massive pressure on their chances of qualification from Group B, where their slender odds of 4/9 are likely to rocket following two upcoming clashes with Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, Hamsik’s arrival would only rob Liverpool of deploying Raheem Sterling, the club’s most exciting talent, at the tip of a diamond which is his most effective position.

The Slovakian would also be treading on the toes of £25m investment Lallana and last season’s stand-out playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who showed signs of a return to form in Switzerland.

Rodgers needs to sure things up from the back first, which means finding the right centre-back pairing and possibly the beefing up of the midfield with either of Joe Allen or Emre Can when they return form fitness shortly.

Luxury players, he does not need.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £100 in free bets.