3 Talking Points From Liverpool vs Tottenham (3-2): Balotelli Has The Last Laugh

Liverpool moved to within a point off Tottenham and just three points off a Champions League spot thanks to a 3-2 win over Spurs. The Reds took the lead in the 15th minute thanks a left-footed strike from Lazar Markovic from just inside the box. But Harry Kane leveled the score barely 10 minutes later. In a see-saw game that was high on intensity and goalmouth action, Steven Gerrard once again gave the hosts the lead, but this time from the penalty spot.

But once again, Spurs came back and this it was Moussa Dembele who scored, although Harry Kane, who provided the pass, was off-side. In the end, it was second-half substitute Mario Balotelli who had the last laugh as the Italian striker scored his first goal for the club to give the Reds a crucial victory. Here are the major talking points from the game.

1. An entertaining, enthralling and engrossing encounter

The stakes are usually high in big games and the fear of failure always means that teams are more than happy to defend, play cautiously rather than go on the front foot. But this game was anything but cautious. Although Liverpool have a good defensive record in 2015 and Spurs have Hugo Lloris in goal, this was never going to be a dull game and so it was proven as both teams went at each other in a game that was played at a frenetic pace.

At times, you would have been forgiven for doubting if this was actually football. Such was the change of possession and the pace with which both teams attacked that, it resembled a basketball game with possession going back and forth. In the end, although the Reds came away with the win, the real win was for the audience watching, as they were treated to a game that was full of high-quality attacks, lightning quick breaks, pressing of the highest order and plenty of goals.

2. Sturridge returns at the right moment

At any other time, the loss of Raheem Sterling, who has been one of Liverpool’s key players this season, would have had a big impact on the club. But Sterling’s injury, has coincided with the return of Daniel Sturridge, who has simply picked up from where he left off last season.

Footballers, especially when returning from a serious long-term injury, usually take time to get their match sharpness back. Although most players will be fit by the time they take to the field, the rustiness in their play is very apparent. But Sturridge has shown none of that since his return from injury. Although he was taken off before the end, he had already contributed an assist and won the penalty which Gerrard converted. Not only that, his pace and ability to stretch the Spurs defense was crucial to the Red’s fast counter attacks. With Balotelli finally scoring his first League goal for the club, things are starting to look up for the Reds attack.

3. Balotelli has the last laugh

There is usually two sides to any story, but in the case of Mario Balotelli, there only ever seems to be one. Ever since signing for Liverpool in the summer, the Italian striker has been derided in the media, for not having the same impact as Luis Suarez. But in a breathtaking game of non-stop attacking football and plenty of chances, it was Balotelli who kept his calm and scored the goal that moved the Reds to within a point off their opponents..

In a game that was dominated by two young English strikers, Balotelli’s winner meant that it was he who had the last laugh. It was a goal and a performance that highlighted what the Italian is all about. Although he was only on the pitch for 20 minutes, he chased down lost causes, brought out the bag of tricks and most importantly scored the goal that might just send the Reds on the right path in their pursuit of a Champions League.