Forward turned the game in Liverpool’s favour…
Brendan Rodgers waxed lyrical about the influence of Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli after the Reds overcame a spirited Crystal Palace performance to proceed to the quarter finals in the FA Cup.
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A powerful Balotelli strike, poorly parried by Eagles keeper Julian Speroni, allowed Adam Lallana to ghost in and tuck away the rebound to secure the win.
This comes just days after the Italian summer signing, who has struggled to make an impact so far at Anfield, scored his first Premier League goal to secure a 3-2 win for the Reds against top four rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
And Brendan Rodgers says it now looks as if the former Man City man is finding his feet on Merseyside.
“The penny has dropped. He’s training well now and starting to really work and to focus in on his job in the team,” said Rodgers, reports Daily Mail.
“The other night when he came on, he got the winner and did very well and I thought today he came on and did very well.
“He had good strength and good power on the free quick and it was a terrific strike that forces the keeper to make the save.”
Rodgers has cause to be optimistic with key man Daniel Sturridge recently returning from injury and getting on the score sheet once again.
Sturridge helped the Reds secure their quarter final birth in the FA Cup whilst their rejuvenation in form has seen them win the most points since the turn of the year.
“Daniel is just working his way back. It’s just about extending his game time because you just risk re-injuring him and that’s something we can’t afford.
“You see his qualities and his spend and touch. And he doesn’t need too many chances. He looks really bright. The team’s functioning at a high level and him coming back gives us a great boost for this part of the season.”