Liverpool 3 -2 Tottenham: 'Super sub' Balotelli speaks out

The Italian striker scored his first goal in the Premier League, which was also the decisive goal that brought home three points for his team in round 25 on February 10.

In the 83rd minute, when the score was 2-2 and there was no sign of a way out of this stalemate, Mario Balotelli suddenly spoke up. He scored with his first shot after being brought onto the field a few minutes earlier. He dived slightly to fool two Tottenham defenders and then ran down gently, tapping the ball from a distance of five meters, Hugo Lloris's net flew up. The Anfield stands exploded because of the important goal of the Italian striker.

Balotelli scored his first goal in the Premier League. Photo: Reuters.

Balotelli was cold, without a smile after scoring as his usual eccentric style, even though this was his first goal in the Premier League. This goal was very meaningful for Balotelli personally because it showed that he is still useful at Anfield. It was also an important goal for Liverpool as they got three full points against Spurs, their competitors for a Champions League ticket.

Liverpool now have 42 points, just three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.

The match was exciting with many dangerous chances created. Both teams had a balance in their formation, good passing and an attacking tendency. Liverpool took the lead twice through Lazar Markovic and Steven Gerrard but Tottenham equalized the score as many times through Harry Kane and Mousa Dembele.

There were 30 shots in total, with the home side managing 16. Tottenham played well, inspired by Harry Kane, but Liverpool deserved to win. The Kop hit the post once and had a penalty ruled out by referee Phil Dowd. But more importantly, Liverpool deserved to win because they had more depth than their opponents.

With the score at 2-2 and the players on the field tired, the two talented young coaches Brendan Rodgers and Mauricio Pochettino made a substitution. Adam Lallana and Balotelli, coming on from the bench, were also the two most important players in creating the decisive goal. Lallana had a good combination with Jordan Ibe to run down the right wing and then made a sensitive pass, eliminating the two central defenders of the away team for Balotelli to score.

While Chadli, Paulinho or Soldado are not effective.

Kane (in white) has scored 23 goals this season in all competitions. Photo: AFP.

The game soon became exciting with Markovic opening the scoring in the 15th minute. From a long pass to Sturridge, the ball was cleared and Markovic immediately pounced on it. The Serbian midfielder dribbled the ball to the edge of the penalty area, finished with his left foot to score.

Just 11 minutes later, Tottenham equalized. Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela combined to tear apart Liverpool's defense, the ball was passed easily to Kane and the rising Premier League assassin seized the opportunity to defeat Simon Mignolet. In 2015, Kane scored 8 goals, equaling Lionel Messi's tally in the same period.

Early in the second half, Sturridge was brought down by Danny Rose in the box. Captain Gerrard coolly scored from the penalty spot. Spurs pressed forward in search of an equalizer. Mignolet was excellent with two consecutive saves.

But by the 62nd minute, the score was 2-2. Mignolet blocked Erikssen's free kick. Kane immediately rushed in and passed inside for Dembele to finish close to the goal.

According to VNE