Mario Balotelli is yet to score for Liverpool in the league this season[GETTY]
Reluctant though Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers may be to take on advice a from an old sage down the East Lancashire Road, perhaps his Hull City counterpart Steve Bruce seized on the crux of the matter.
Rather than railing against Eric Cantona's many foibles, Bruce revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson embraced his own L'enfant terrible at Manchester United to get the best out of the Frenchman, no matter how erratic his behaviour.
"When you take a maverick on, you have to be sure you are taking them for the right reasons," said Bruce. "You have to find a way of getting the best out of them without changing them.
"Eric was a great one who came into a team that were ready to accept him for his maverick ways. I think he came into the team at United and we accepted him.
"So when Eric once turned up in flip flops and baggy jeans at a civic reception, then there's only him can get away with it, let me tell you.
"I remember as captain I questioned Fergie about it and he said, 'tell the rest of the team if they all play like him, then they can all wear raggy jeans and flip flops!'.
"Balotelli has been unfairly criticised in my opinion because he has got this look like he doesn't care. That's always part of his make up, it's easy to pick on because of his body language."
What the managers said - Saturday 25 October
You are never too old to learn
Brendan Rodgers
After a week in which Rodgers suggested Balotelli must understand the ethos of what is required of a Liverpool player, the Northern Irishman was asked if his £16million signing from AC Milan was receiving enough love at Anfield.
"Oh, he is getting everything. He is getting the support, everything," said Rodgers. "That's what happens when you come to this club. You don't have any excuses. The people here, the supporters, the players, the staff. They will back every new player. That is what happened when he came here."
Certainly there were enough signs against Hull that Balotelli has at least heeded Rodgers' warnings. Should that prove more than a glimmer Balotelli will continue to be handed the No45 shirt, rather than a P45.
Ideally, of course, he will add a bit more sweat to that red jersey before he thinks about swapping it.
"I think you are never too old to learn," said Rodgers. "The key is if you want to learn. That is the key question. And I think Mario does."
Eric Cantona (centre) won four Premier League titles with Manchester United [GETTY]
Bruce, of course, has a maverick of his own to attempt to cajole the best out of in Hatem Ben Arfa, who fell out of favour at Newcastle and joined Hull on a season-long loan.
The omens from the French winger against Liverpool are that the wily Bruce has got a handle on whatever it is that makes Ben Arfa tick.
"I thought long and hard about Ben Arfa," said Bruce. "With his ability, why should I be able to loan him to come and play for Hull? Obviously it means he's not everyone's cup of tea. But the past six or seven weeks, he has been terrific."
Predictably the opportunity to have the final word was Balotelli's, but the inspired Eldin Jakupovic denied him his first Premier League goal for his new club with a fine save from close range at the end of injury time.
The scrutiny for Liverpool's striker inevitably goes on.
Booked: Ben Arfa, Huddlestone. NEXT UP: Southampton (h) Saturday, Premier League.
Referee: N Swarbrick (Lancashire).
STAT OF THE DAY: Liverpool had gone 48 Premier League games without a goalless draw before their stalemate against Hull. It was the longest run of any side in the Premier League.
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