Balotelli 'finally' comes good as Liverpool scrape past Swansea
Italian striker comes off the bench to score equaliser and help Reds into League Cup quarter finals
Liverpool 2 Swansea 1.Mario Balotelli came good for Liverpool on Tuesday night when he scored the vital equaliser in their fourth round Capital Cup tie against Swansea. Balotelli's strike, four minutes from full-time, cancelled out Marvin Emnes' effort for the visitors and Swansea then suffered the heartbreak of seeing Dejan Lovren score a stoppage time winner for the Reds to send them through to the last eight.
It was Balotelli's second goal (and his first since 16 September) since arriving in the summer in a £16m deal from AC Milan and the Italian striker was clearly relieved to have got on the scoresheet again. His Twitter account has the handle @finallymario and "Finally" was the one word message to his fans a couple of hours after the victory.
But Balotelli can't help being Balotelli and his role in the win over Swansea wasn't without controversy. As the Daily Mirror reports, he had angry exchange with Swansea's Jonjo Shelvey, one "that spilled over after the final whistle, when the pair had to be separated".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Swansea manager Garry Monk was less concerned about the skirmish between Shelvey and Balotelli than the red card dished out to defender Federico Fernandez in stoppage time for a challenge on Philippe Coutinho. Seconds after Fernandez's dismissal, Lovren rose to head home the winner and send the Swans out of the cup. "It's clearly not a red card – I've watched it back about 30 times and, if anything, the Liverpool player's foot was higher than our player's," stormed Monk. "It was yet another decision to add to the list. I said to the lads in the dressing room afterwards - the decisions are going against us, but we just have to get on with it. I just hope the referee sees sense and rescinds it."
Monk added that with Fernandez on the pitch his side might well have prevented Lovren heading the winner. They might or might not, it's one of life's imponderables. A bit like Balotelli.
In recent days rumours have been growing that the former Manchester City forward could be offloaded by Liverpool as early as January if he doesn't shape up in the next two months. His late goal last night will help win over the fans but Liverpool assistant coach Colin Pascoe revealed that Balotelli nearly didn't make the game after suffering a scare before kick-off.
"He twisted his studs in the ground in the warm up," explained Pascoe, adding that Balotelli had been given the all-clear to play only after a physio's assessment. "It was a relief he could play really, and we're lucky... I felt he got his just reward coming on and getting that goal."
Balotelli replaced Rickie Lambert on 79 minutes and the Italian looked sharp from his first stride. Seven minutes after coming in, Balotelli converted Fabio Borini's cross and Pascoe hopes the goal will be the turning point of his Liverpool career. "He wants to work so hard here. He wants to work on his movement and his finishing after every session. It's something for him to build on now."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What's next for electric vehicles under Trump?
Today's Big Question And what does that mean for Tesla's Elon Musk?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Premier League 2020-21 predictions and odds: champions, top four, relegation
The Week Recommends A look at what the football media has to say ahead of the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich: Alphonso Davies expects a ‘goalfest’
The Week Recommends Key talking points ahead of the Champions League final
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City’s ‘World Cup’: Pep Guardiola’s team bid for Champions League glory
The Week Recommends Sky Blues prepare for a potential three knockout games in eight days in Portugal
By Mike Starling Published
-
On the prowl for No.16: Tiger Woods is geared up for PGA Championship challenge
The Week Recommends First major of the year will be held behind closed doors at TPC Harding Park
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Players: a big opportunity awaits defending champion Rory McIlroy
The Week Recommends World No.1 golfer aims to become the first back-to-back winner of the PGA Tour’s flagship event
By The Week Staff Published
-
F1 Australian GP finally cancelled after McLaren withdraw
The Week Recommends McLaren team member tests positive for coronavirus
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Premier League: Man United maintain superiority over City
The Week Recommends Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's side have beaten City three times this season, and result leaves Liverpool close to title
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League last-16 predictions: will ties go ahead and who will qualify?
The Week Recommends Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea all require comebacks in the second legs
By The Week Staff Last updated