Mario Balotelli made a winning debut as Liverpool produced a
dazzling performance to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 at
White Hart Lane.
It took just eight minutes for Liverpool to break the deadlock
as Raheem Sterling tucked a neat finish past Hugo Lloris
following good work by Daniel Sturridge and Jordan
Henderson.
Balotelli had two or three chances to give Liverpool a more
commanding lead, while Spurs also played their part in an
absorbing first half and needed Simon Mignolet to save well
from Nacer Chadli just before the break.
But Balotelli’s display was overshadowed by an excellent
Liverpool showing as Steven Gerrard added a second from the
penalty spot on 49 minutes following a foul by Eric Dier on Joe
Allen, and then Albert Moreno sealed victory with a stunning
solo goal on the hour mark.
Despite insisting in the build-up it would not become 'the
Mario Balotelli show', the pre-match focus was on the Italian
who had a wonderful chance to open his account after three
minutes.
The maverick striker found space to meet a Sturridge cross at
the back post, only for Lloris to save his close-range header
before the striker turned the rebound wide.
It was poor from Balotelli but a missed opportunity soon
forgotten as Liverpool's England trio combined for a stylish
opener.
Sturridge played through Henderson, whose low, driven cross
was turned in at the back post by Sterling - a team goal which
will have no doubt pleased watching England manager Roy
Hodgson.
Emmanuel Adebayor had a decent chance to level almost
immediately when put through by Nabil Bentaleb, only for him
to lift the ball onto the roof of the net.
It was a rare moment of respite as Liverpool toyed with the
hosts, wasting several decent chances to pull further ahead.
Sturridge wriggled free to strike a low left-footed effort just
wide, before Balotelli wasted another gilt-edged chance when
failing to head on target despite being left unmarked from a
Gerrard free-kick.
Adebayor was proving a nuisance as Spurs began to settle,
although a wayward effort from Danny Rose was all they had to
show for their improved performance.
They were still looking shaky on occasion at the back and Lloris
was fortunate not to be punished for a rush of blood to the
head.
Soon after saving a Sturridge pot shot, the French goalkeeper,
like so many times before, burst off his line to make an
interception, which he put straight at Balotelli - a chance the
Italian snatched at, screwing wide of the open goal.
Balotelli was guilty of firing wildly over from a corner just
before the break, which Spurs were close to going into level.
Adebayor showed good strength to flick the ball through to
Chadli, although the attacker's goalbound drive was denied by
Mignolet.
Spurs were fortunate not to be further behind at the break but
Liverpool did double their advantage four minutes into the
second half.
Dier was adjudged to have pulled back Allen in the box, with
Gerrard striking home the resulting penalty - a record 43rd
successive spot-kick for Liverpool.
It looked a soft decision by referee Phil Dowd and one which
led Mauricio Pochettino to make alterations, although the
introduction of Townsend immediately cost Spurs.
The dawdling winger was dispossessed by Moreno just inside
the Liverpool half, with the left-back powering down the flank
before letting fly across Lloris.
Balotelli was withdrawn after the Spaniard's fine solo effort,
which would have been usurped as the game's best goal had
the final touch matched the quality of Sterling's inspired, mazy
run.
Lloris denied that tame effort and a low Sturridge strike as the
tempo slowed and game petered out.
There was a worrying moment for Hodgson as Rose was
replaced after picking up a knock towards the end of a match
which Spurs underwhelmed.
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