Liverpool end Tottenham's perfect record after 3-0 win
Liverpool reasserted their Premier League title credentials with a breezy 3-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (Aug 31).
Raheem Sterling, Steven Gerrard and Alberto Moreno scored the goals for Liverpool at White Hart Lane to give Brendan Rodgers victory in his 100th game as manager and end Tottenham’s 100 percent record.
"Overall our quality was exceptional. We got three goals and could have had more," said Rodgers, 41.
Mario Balotelli, 24, made his Liverpool debut after his £16 million (S$33.1 million) move from AC Milan on Monday (Aug 25) and he produced an enterprising display before being withdrawn in the 61st minute.
Mario Balotelli plays his first game for Liverpool at White Hart Lane on Sunday night (S'pore time) PHOTO: Reuters
"I thought he was excellent," Rodgers said of the maverick striker.
"He's bought straight into our team ethic. He's trained well and has put all that background noise about him to one side. He's been brilliant."
The result saw Liverpool bounce back from a 3-1 defeat at Manchester City in their previous outing and they have now scored 12 unanswered goals in their last three encounters with Spurs.
Tottenham Hotspur reached the end of their perfect record after embarrassing loss at home. PHOTO: Reuters
After former City striker Balotelli had tested Hugo Lloris with an early header, Liverpool went ahead in the eighth minute.
Daniel Sturridge released Jordan Henderson with a ball down the right flank and the England midfielder played a low cross across the box that Sterling tucked away at the far post.
Gerrard doubled the visitors’ lead from the penalty spot in the 49th minute after Eric Dier had held back Joe Allen and Moreno sealed victory on the hour with a memorable first Liverpool goal.
Liverpool's Alberto Moreno celebrates after scoring his team's third goal. PHOTO: Reuters
The Spanish left-back, a close-season arrival from Sevilla, dispossessed Spurs substitute Andros Townsend on halfway and surged into the box before drilling a shot into the bottom-right corner.
"We need to learn and improve," said Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino. "Today was a very tough game for us."
Source: AFP
Photos: Reuters
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