The Partenopei were said to be weighing up a €12.5 million bid for the Italy striker, who has netted just twice so far for the Reds

Napoli sporting director Riccardo Bigon has rubbished reports linking the Serie A side with Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli.

It had been claimed that the Partenopei were considering a €12.5 million bid for the Italy international, who only moved to Anfield from AC Milan just before the close of the summer transfer window.

However, Bigon insists that Napoli would have no chance of signing Balotelli even if they were interested in the 24-year-old striker.

“They’re speaking about Balotelli in Spain, England and Italy but it’s not a possibility. Nothing of what has been said is true.

“It’s not a feasible line. I don’t think this is a real story, though the fact is that Mario remains a great player.

“The boy has just been bought by Liverpool and given what their coach is saying, he’s an investment for the future of the club.

“We can only wish Mario all the best on his English adventure.”

Former Manchester City striker Balotelli has endured a difficult start to his second stint in the Premier League but he netted his second Liverpool goal in Tuesday’s Carling One Cup win over Swansea.

The Liverpool forward admits that his family have always suffered with muscle problems while he also hopes to strike up a partnership with Mario Balotelli when he regains fitness

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge fears that the injuries which have ruled him out of much of the season could be hereditary.

The former Chelsea man has not made an appearance since England’s friendly against Norway in early September, having suffered from thigh and calf problems, and believes that injuries suffered by his family – including his uncle, former Derby County striker Dean Sturridge – could be linked to the issues that he has faced in recent years.

“I play my game as best I can but I’ve been unfortunate this season,” he told talkSPORT.

“Maybe it’s my body type, maybe it’s hereditary. Both my uncles had injuries and my dad had them as well.

“Maybe it’s the Caribbean vibes, maybe I have speed but maybe it makes you more vulnerable because of the fast twitch muscles and the speed at which you’re moving.

“I am vulnerable to muscle injuries. As long as I continue to work hard, everything will take care of itself.”

Sturridge’s absence has led to Mario Balotelli leading the line for Brendan Rodgers’s team but the Italian has come under fire, having only netted twice since his arrival from AC Milan in August.

The former Manchester City duo have only been paired together once due to Sturridge’s injuries, a game in which the Reds beat Tottenham 3-0, but the 25-year-old is hopeful their relationship off the field will translate to the pitch when he regains his fitness.

“We get on well off the field and in the changing rooms. We’re always laughing and joking,” said the England star.

“It’s not hugely important to be friends to have a great relationship with somebody and, if you’re not friends, you can still have a great partnership but you can also be friends and have a great partnership.

“Once I get back fit, I’m hoping we can strike up a partnership. Last season with Luis [Suarez] we had a great relationship up front and scored a lot of goals. Hopefully this season it will be the same.”

Tottenham will host Newcastle in the only all-Premier League match of the quarter-finals while Southampton travel to Sheffield United to complete the last-eight ties

Chelsea will travel to Derby County while Liverpool will take on Bournemouth following the draw for the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

Elsewhere, Manchester City’s conquerors, Newcastle, will face Tottenham in an all-Premier League tie while League One Sheffield United host Southampton.

Jose Mourinho’s side faced the Rams in the third round of  last season’s FA Cup – winning 2-0 – and will again take on Steve McClaren’s side in their pursuit of the first available silverware of the season.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have scraped past Middlesbrough and Swansea City in the earlier rounds and face their first away trip of the competition when they take on Eddie Howe’s Championship high-flyers.

Tottenham saw off Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday to book their place in the last eight and will host Alan Pardew’s side in a repeat of their recent Premier League defeat at White Hart Lane.

And Nigel Clough’s Sheffield United, who are the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, will look to reach the last four of a domestic cup competition for the second consecutive season when they face Ronald Koeman’s buoyant Saints.

The ties will be played in the week beginning December 15.

Draw in full:

Derby County v Chelsea
Tottenham v Newcastle
Bournemouth v Liverpool
Sheffield United v Southampton