Mario Balotelli’s First EPL Goal For Liverpool Downs Tottenham (Video)

Mario Balotelli picked a perfect time to score his first Premier League goal in ages.

Balotelli scored the game-winning goal for Liverpool in its 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday at Anfield. The goal was Balotelli’s first in the Premier League since he returned to England last summer. The Italian striker hadn’t scored in 12 league games before finally notching that long-awaited strike.

Balotelli entered the pulsating game in the 73rd minute when he replaced Daniel Sturridge and needed just ten minutes to break the deadlock. He lost his marker and redirected Adam Lallana’s cross past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, bringing smiles to the home fans at Anfield and his teammates.

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A lack of effort wasn’t responsible for Balotelli’s league goal drought. No player had taken more shots without scoring in 2014-15.

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Balotelli, 24, last scored a Premier League goal in November 2012 when he was a Manchester City player.

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Balotelli has endured plenty of criticism since joining Liverpool from AC Milan in a £16 million ($24.4 million) transfer last August. The Italian now has three goals in his Premier League career. This could be the start of a new chapter in Balotelli’s Anfield career.