Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain has rebuffed interest from Liverpool after admitting he is happy with life at the Serie A giants.

Higuain joined the Italian club in the 2013 summer transfer window and scored 17 goals in 32 league appearances as Rafael Benitez's side qualified for the Champions League despite finishing 24 points behind champions Juventus.

Reports on Friday 26 September linked Higuain with a move to Liverpool as the Anfield club look to ease their problems in front of goal but the Argentina international rubbished such suggestions and claimed he was happy with life at Stadio San Paolo.

"I'm happy to play in Naples – it's a fantastic city to play football," he said.

"As in any place, when you win, everyone is happy. When you don't, people overreact. In this period, there are critics but it's normal. I chose to come here, Naples is a wonderful city."

Higuain was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal last summer after declaring his intention to leave Real Madrid but the north London club were unable to clinch a deal for his services.

Liverpool's reported interest stems from their early failures in front of goal this season, which has seen the club struggle without the injured Daniel Sturridge, while new signing Mario Balotelli is still adapting to life back in the Premier League since joining from AC Milan.

The ex-Manchester City forward was billed as the replacement for the departed Luis Suarez but has netted just one goal in his first five Liverpool appearances, which have been accompanied with criticism from the likes of former England international Joey Barton.

Barton wrote on Twitter: "Balotelli? He is the biggest myth in world football the fella. Fair play to him he's had everyones trolleys down...

"People now realising just how good Luis Suarez was. I mean how do you replace that quality? Certainly not with MB. He does take a mean peno!"