Mario Balotelli: £2.5m later...and the Liverpool striker scores a Premier League goal

Maverick forward finally opened his league account for the Reds

Wednesday 11 February 2015 00:49

Mario Balotelli celebrates with Adam Lallana

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Mario Balotelli's tap-in for the winner against Spurs tonight provided blessed relief for Liverpool fans who have sat through the striker's travails and tribulations this season. As is the way with the modern game, Balotelli will now be hailed as a hero, or at the very least as an anti-hero, though had he missed that most simple of finishes the anti-Christ might have been more appropriate.

Now for the reality check: Balotelli now has one Premier League goal for Liverpool to stack up against his transfer fee of £16 million and wages of £110,000 per week.

He's been at Liverpool since the end of August 2014 so has earned in the region of £2,500,000 - enough to buy several crates of high-quality fireworks, or perhaps even a small nuclear warhead.

That goal, then, has cost Liverpool nearly £19 million - and cup strikes against Ludogorets and Swansea hardly make the icing any less bitter.

Liverpool 3 Tottenham 2 - player ratings

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1/24Liverpool 3 Tottenham 2 - player ratings

Will be disappointed that he got beaten by Kane’s sub-par finish but made up for it with a spectacular save from Eric Lamella as Spurs searched for a reply. Not to blame for Tottenham’s second. 6

A mixed bag defensively, but helped his team press forwards in the second half. Created a number of attacks by breaking forwards. 7

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A strong performance in the centre, Skrtel remains the lynchpin of the Liverpool defence. 6

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Was having a decent game until he ended up on his backside as Harry Kane slotted home Tottenham’s first. Followed that up with a rugby tackle on Dembele that earned him a yellow card. 5

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His passes weren’t particularly sharp on the day and the majority of Liverpool’s chances were created by his fellow midfielders. 5

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Hung back for the most part leaving the attacking duties to Philippe Coutinho, but took his penalty well. 7

Was an effective bridge between the defense and attack as Liverpool broke forwards. 6

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Nice attacking performance, he created a good number of chances for his teammates and his low, driven shot had enough on it to beat Hugo Lloris. 8

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Rewarded Brenden Rogers faith in him with another fine performance in his second successive start. Showed pace, strength and dribbling skill which stretched the Tottenham defence. 8

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Displayed his usual craft as he produced a number of good opportunities for his attackers. Divided the midfield work well with Steven Gerrard. 7

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Looked lively from the off and was denied by the sprawling Hugo Lloris on a number of occasions. Almost scored a delightful back-heel but his effort cannoned off the post. Earned Liverpool the penalty. 7

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Came on and snatched the game for Liverpool. It was a simple, simple finish, but he timed his run well and was in the right place at the right time. 7

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Should have done better to keep out Markovic’s opener and looked out of sorts at the back. Nothing he could do about the Gerrard penalty. 6

Liverpool’s efforts were focussed down the opposite flank so Walker was quiet on a day where he didn’t offer much to the attack. 6

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Part of the calamity that saw Sturridge go close a handful of times. Looked nervy at the back and was very lucky not to give away a second penalty after dangerous sliding challenge on Sturridge. 6

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5 Gave the ball away to Markovic for the first goal with a lapse of concentration in an up and down performance. Didn’t look assured whenever Liverpool got the ball near the goalmouth. 5

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What a bad day for left-back. Jordon Ibe had free reign down the right flank and Danny Rose could do nothing to stop the 19 year old’s frequent jaunts through the defence. Tripped Sturridge and gave away a penalty in a poor performance. 4

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Had his moments providing some link-up play but his defensive work was a liability. 5

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Had a torrid time of it. He left his defence exposed on a number of occasions and hit a several poor passes. 4

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Linked up well with Eriksen and Kane and provided a lovely weighted pass which turned into the assist for Harry Kane’s goal. Dangerous all game. 7

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Harry Kane casts a big shadow, and Dembele displays much less energy than his strike partner, but the Belgian forward showed good instincts to nick an equaliser for Spurs. 6

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Keeps producing for Tottenham’s attack and his build up play was excellent as usual. Hit another well-struck free kick that led to Spur’s second goal. 7

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It’s easy to run out of superlatives for the young striker. It’s becoming a surprise not to see his name on the score sheet, and he took his finish with aplomb, albeit with a pinch of fortune. He then provided the assists for Spur’s second goal and looks every bit of England’s best striker. 8

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Couldn’t inspire a fight-back from his tired teammates and picked up a yellow card for his troubles. 5

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Sorry if this is raining on Mario's Merseyside parade - there's no doubt it was an important goal, and may yet open the gates to a Noah's Ark of further vital strikes as Liverpool look to keep up the chase for a Champions League place.

Just don't pretend that Super Mario is suddenly a super success.

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