Mario Balotelli got his Liverpool career off to a winning start away at Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon, although the Italian was not directly involved in any of the goals as the Reds, who were being managed by Brendan Rodgers for the 100th time, ran out 3-0 winners at White Hart Lane.
The £16m signing had three chances to mark his debut with a goal during the first half, one of which was saved by Hugo Lloris from point blank range in just the third minute. He then headed wide soon after, before seeing an audacious volley from 40 yards out fly well wide, with the Spurs keeper stranded.
However, the away side did manage to make the most of their domination in the first half thanks to Raheem Sterling, who ghosted in at the back post to turn in Jordan Henderson's low cross with eight minutes on the clock.
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Hosting Spurs grew into the encounter and, after Emmanuel Adebayor had earlier lofted an effort on to the roof of the net, Nacer Chadli had their best chance three minutes before the break. The Belgian's effort from 12 yards out had plenty of power, but visiting goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was able to parry clear the danger.
It would prove to be a crucial save from Liverpool's number one because, within four minutes of the restart, his side had doubled their advantage. Spurs defender Eric Dier was adjudged by referee Phil Dowd to have pulled back Joe Allen inside the area and from the resultant penalty, captain Steven Gerrard stepped up to beat Lloris.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino reacted to his side having fallen two goals behind by making a double substitution which saw Andros Townsend enter the action, but the England winger's first contribution would cost his side a third goal on the hour mark.
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He was caught in possession by left-back Alberto Moreno and the Spaniard proceeded to raid down the left flank, making his way into the Spurs penalty area in the process. With no home defender closing him down, the defender went for goal and he found the back of the net via the far upright.
From that moment onwards, Spurs had plenty of the possession, but it was Liverpool that continued to carve out the better chances, although they were unable to take any of them. The best fell to Sterling after he had beaten three Spurs defenders inside the area, but his finish was tame and easy pickings for Lloris.
Liverpool saw out the remaining few minutes unharmed, meaning that they have beaten Spurs 12-0 on aggregate over their last three meetings.
Liam Apicella
