Mario Balotelli's first league goal for Liverpool was enough to hand the Reds a 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield this evening.

Spurs had equalised twice before the Italian's late winner, with first Harry Kane and then Mousa Dembele cancelling out goals from Lazar Markovic and Steven Gerrard respectively.

Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out during a thrilling battle between two teams in the race for a Champions League spot.

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LIVERPOOL

Goal

Simon Mignolet: Made a world-class save to deny Lamela but perhaps could have done better with both goals. The first was drilled under his leg while he parried Eriksen's free kick into a dangerous area for the second, although Kane should have been flagged for offside. (6/10)

Defence

Emre Can: Another impressive performance from the youngster, who carried the ball out from defence really well at times and was equally important when pushed up into midfield. (8/10)

Martin Skrtel: Found himself in a battle with Kane, and that is not something any defender relishes right now. Won some important headers for his side, but certainly didn't have things all his own way. (6/10)

Mamadou Sakho: The weak link in Liverpool's defensive trio today. Got sucked in by Lamela for the opening Tottenham goal, allowing Kane to fire home an equaliser. (5/10)

Midfield

Jordon Ibe: Another very bright performance by the youngster. Always positive and direct with the ball at his feet and played a crucial part in the winning goal. Also tested Lloris with a good strike of his own. (8/10)

Steven Gerrard: Forced off with what looked like a hamstring injury having scored from the penalty spot against Spurs for the second time this season. Despite his goal, he struggled at times in the middle of the park today. (6/10)

Jordan Henderson: In a game of such intensity and energy, it was no surprise to see Henderson set the tempo at times. Another performance that won't make any headlines but is important for the team. (7/10)

Lazar Markovic: Opened the scoring, although his shot was one that Lloris perhaps should have saved. Decision-making could be better at times, but he is certainly showing plenty of promise. (7/10)

Philippe Coutinho: Could have been the perfect game for him, with room to operate in front of the Tottenham defence and space for Sturridge to run into behind them. However, the Brazilian never really got going and had his second quiet match of the week following another subdued performance in the Merseyside derby. (5/10)

Alberto Moreno: Up and down the left flank all game. Always eager to help his side out going forward but didn't shirk his defensive duties either. (7/10)

Attack

Daniel Sturridge: A triumphant return to the starting lineup. Assisted the opening goal, won the penalty and hit the post with an audacious back-heel, although he will probably feel that he should have got his own name on the scoresheet. (8/10)

Substitutes

Dejan Lovren: Replaced Gerrard with a little over 20 minutes remaining but the most noticeable thing about his time on the field was that it allowed Can to push further forward. (6/10)

Mario Balotelli: Could this be the catalyst he has been waiting for? Looked eager to grab an increasingly rare chance with both hands, chasing the ball down and providing energy from the front. Capped off an impressive 15-minute cameo with the winning goal, his first in the Premier League for Liverpool. (7/10)

Adam Lallana: Was really bright during his time on the field and provided the assist for Balotelli to convert the winning goal. (7/10)

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TOTTENHAM

Goal

Hugo Lloris: Made a rare error to allow Markovic's opener to creep past him having earlier denied Sturridge with a fine stop. Could do nothing about Liverpool's other two goals. (6/10)

Defence

Kyle Walker: Was involved in a really good battle with Moreno on the flank. Couldn't get forward as much as he might have liked and had his hands full with the Spaniard. (6/10)

Eric Dier: Made one or two important challenges but, on the whole, struggled to deal with Sturridge's pace and movement. (5/10)

Jan Vertonghen: Was at fault for the opening goal and, like Dier, found it hard to deal with the likes of Sturridge, Ibe and Markovic at times. (5/10)

Danny Rose: A night to forget for the full-back. Brought down Sturridge with a clumsy challenge to concede the penalty and had the unenviable job of keeping tabs on Ibe for the whole match. Each one of Liverpool's goals came down his side. (3/10)

Midfield

Ryan Mason: Almost gifted Sturridge an opener with a careless pass in the first half but, on the whole, put in a solid performance. (6/10)

Nabil Bentaleb: Was also too sloppy in possession and struggled to plug the holes that Liverpool found in the final third. (5/10)

Christian Eriksen: Unusually quiet for most of the game, but did play a part in both Tottenham goals. Exchanged a one-two with Lamela in the build-up to the first before providing the free kick that Mignolet parried for the second. (6/10)

Mousa Dembele: Positive performance from midfield as he brought an air of authority when on the ball. Bundled home his side's second goal from close range. (7/10)

Erik Lamela: Was a creative danger throughout, providing the assist for Kane with a beauty of a through-ball. Also forced a world-class stop from Mignolet. (7/10)

Attack

Harry Kane: Another goal to add to his growing list, which now stands at 23 in all competitions. Also added an assist, although that came from an offside position. Continues to impress and has surely done enough now for an England call-up at the end of next month. (8/10)

Substitutes

Paulinho: Replaced Mason with a little over 20 minutes remaining but failed to add much to Tottenham's cause. (6/10)

Nacer Chadli: May have expected to start the game but was once again consigned to the bench and could not make an impact during a nine-minute cameo. (6/10)

Roberto Soldado: Barely got a kick after Pochettino had put him on as his final throw of the dice. (6/10)