Five observations from Liverpool’s win at White Hart Lane.
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Liverpool bounced back from a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Manchester City to claim an impressive 3-0 away win over Tottenham Hotspur this weekend. Here’s five things we learned from the game at White Hart Lane…
1) Mario Balotelli should shine under Brendan Rodgers
Although he couldn’t mark his eagerly-awaited debut with a goal, Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli had a lively game at White Hart Lane and showed no signs of being difficult or lazy as he has been in the past.
It is often the case with talented players with difficult personalities that they need the right manager to get them playing at their full potential. Jose Mourinho did this with under-achievers Didier Drogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who are now among the finest strikers of their generation.
Brendan Rodgers has already shown how he can improve players tremendously, with the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling all taking their games to new levels under his guidance, and the early signs suggest the same could be true with Balotelli as he faces the tricky task of replacing Luis Suarez.
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2) Daniel Sturridge will be fine without Luis Suarez
The task of replacing Luis Suarez is not all Balotelli’s though, and Daniel Sturridge has shown he is a star in his own right with a fine start to this season and another commanding display against Tottenham. The immensely talented England international played a great part in his side’s first goal, and can fill the gap left by Suarez not only with his goals, but with his superb flair and creativity as well.
Despite suggestions that Sturridge could struggle and look an inferior player without Suarez beside him, it is clear that Liverpool fans have little to worry about in that regard, with a new strike partnership surely set to blossom at Anfield this season.
3) Alberto Moreno looks a great signing
Despite a shaky start against Manchester City when his individual error led to the opening goal for Stevan Jovetic, Spanish youngster Alberto Moreno certainly responded in this game with a fine performance at left-back.
The 22-year-old capped his display with a fantastic solo goal, winning the ball in his own half before driving forward with great speed and style to drive home a well-taken finish to kill the game.
Although Jon Flanagan performed admirably out of position for Liverpool last season, Moreno is a different calibre of player altogether, and his attacking style of play from the back is just what the club needs in Brendan Rodgers’ tactical setup.
4) Mauricio Pochettino needs time
Brought back down to earth by this result after a strong start to the season, it is clear that Tottenham are not yet the finished product under their new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine got his Southampton side playing a similarly high-energy, quick-tempo passing game to that deployed by Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool, and with time his Tottenham team could replicate this Reds display from the weekend.
Although the scoreline was far from flattering, there is still reason for Spurs fans to be far more optimistic this season than when they were battered 5-0 at home by the same opposition last term.
5) Tottenham need one more signing
Still, even with Pochettino embarking upon a promising project at White Hart Lane this season, they still look at least one player short of a top quality side.
While Liverpool have truly star players in midfield and attack, with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge to look to for inspiration, Spurs still lack a real game-changer in either of these areas.
Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela have shown some early-season promise, but an improved option upfront is arguably needed by the club if they are to bridge that gap between themselves and the top four this term, with Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado some way off the required standard when compared with their rivals’ options in attack.
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