Mario Balotelli’s first Premier League goal for Liverpool gave them a crucial victory in the fight for a Premier League top-four place in a thrilling game at Anfield.
Liverpool led twice only to be pegged back by Spurs before Balotelli, on as a substitute for Daniel Sturridge, turned in Adam Lallana’s cross with seven minutes left.
Lazar Markovic gave Liverpool an early lead but man-of-the-moment Harry Kane was on the mark again to swiftly equalise for Spurs with his 23rd goal of an outstanding season.
Steven Gerrard’s penalty just after half-time restored Liverpool’s lead but Mousa Dembele levelled again before the decisive late intervention from the Italy striker, who has been little more than a £16m misfit since his summer arrival from AC Milan.
And in the context of the battle to earn a place in next season’s Champions League, Balotelli’s goal came at the perfect time, halting Spurs’ recent resurgence and moving Liverpool to within one point of Mauricio Pochettino’s side and three points off fourth-placed Arsenal.
