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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