"The team is the star as Reds thump Spurs" by Joel Tracy

“The team,” Brendan Rodgers has been known to say, “is the star.” And on the strength of its performance against Spurs at White Heart Lane, this Liverpool squad appears to be quite capable of justifying the declaration. Amidst the debut of heat-seeking Mario Balotelli, the Reds registered a signal of intent founded upon a balanced team performance, rebounding nicely from their loss away to Manchester City.

Liverpool sauntered out at White Hart Lane guns blazing, with a quartet of relatively new, front foot defenders and a balanced midfield supporting the mouthwatering attacking trio of Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Balotelli. Rather than opt for the added security of his supposedly preferred 4-3-3, Brendan Rodgers once again demonstrated the audacious approach that has made Liverpool into such a prolific attacking force, and also probably cost them last season’s title.

The Reds provided a genuine threat from the start with the debutant Balotelli redirecting an excellent cross from Sturridge right into Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. It’s early days, but the Italian offered impressive industry, helping out at the back in addition to his power and flair in attack. Though Sturridge, like his strike partner appeared to have left his shooting boots at home, the Englishman continued to provide a creative spark, making a tricky run down the right after Jordan Henderson and Javier Manquillo won possession for Liverpool. Sturridge neatly played through the marauding Henderson, who threaded an inch-perfect ball across the box to Sterling. The teenager made no mistake, coolly slotting in with his left foot past a diving Hugo Lloris.

Liverpool enjoyed some impressive spells of possession through the first half, with Gerrard dictating play from deep, while offering increasingly disciplined cover in front of the back four. In front of the captain, Joe Allen and Henderson completed a balanced midfield with diligent, clever movement and passing. The positioning of Allen in particular allowed Alberto Moreno to roam forward with threatening effect, while the young Spaniard’s speed allowed him to recover effectively when necessary.

In addition to his second lovely assist to the young Sterling this campaign, Allen’s counterpart Henderson showed with his burgeoning blend of industry, decision making and skill why he is fast becoming one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. With halftime approaching the Reds again threatened, the veteran Gerrard stepping forward to expertly guide a long free kick towards a waiting Balotelli, who steered his header wide of Lloris’ left post.

Despite the Reds’ attacking threat, defensive incompetence reared its head in the 42nd minute as Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho both challenged Emmanuel Adebayor for a header at the top of the box, only to see it knocked down by the Togolese striker into the path of an advancing Nacer Chadli, who stung the gloves of Simon Mignolet in drawing a fine one-on-one save from the Belgian. The keeper certainly spared his centre backs’ blushes, but otherwise the Reds controlled the game nicely with rapid, tidy passing as the match headed into halftime one-nil to the visitors.

Liverpool began strongly after the interval, calm and composed in dominating possession. Minutes into the second half Joe Allen took advantage of minimal yet clumsy contact from Eric Dier inside the area to win a relatively soft penalty. Perhaps a few stole a glance at Balotelli when the spot kick was awarded but Steven Gerrard calmly stepped up to take it, firing into the lower corner from twelve yards to double the Reds’ lead.

The third goal was an exquisite cocktail of power, pace and ruthlessness as Moreno won possession inside his own half and burst forward into space. The young Spaniard watched two Spurs defenders track Sturridge’s run into the box and decided to do it himself, rifling into the bottom righthand corner from the edge of the box.

Liverpool offered a few more moments of threat, highlighted by some fine work by substitute Emre Can in setting up Raheem Sterling to jink his way into space inside the area. The teenager’s slippery moves earned him a one on one opportunity with Lloris, which he tamely scuffed towards the Frenchman’s goal.

That Liverpool were able to bring on Can for Allen and Lazar Markovic for Balotelli speaks to the depth Rodgers has assembled since his arrival at Anfield, even if the effect was dimmed somewhat by the introduction of Jose Enrique for Sterling on the left of a front three. The substitutes slotted in well, as Liverpool saw out the victory with a poise and defensive solidity that has certainly been lacking in recent times.

Despite the wayward finishing of Sturridge, Balotelli and to an extent Sterling, the Reds produced a fine attacking display. Just as crucially, they showed significant improvement at the back, registering their first clean sheet since a 4-0 demolition of this same Spurs side at Anfield in March. Lovren looked a bit unsteady on his unfavored right side, but the fullbacks were defensively solid, as was Sakho in his first action of the campaign.

The midfield trio also impressed, and the likes of Lallana, Coutinho, Markovic, Flanagan, Skrtel and Johnson will have their work cut out for them in earning their way off a much improved bench and into the side.

After a humbling evening at the Etihad last Monday, Liverpool bounced back in an impressive opening salvo of what could be its base formation for much of this season. There are bound to be stumbles ahead as Rodgers continues to integrate a host of fresh newcomers into an increasingly competitive first team. But on the strength of today’s performance Reds fans could be forgiven for envisioning a bright, silverware-laden future on Merseyside, this season and beyond.

Despite the much publicised arrival of Balotelli, it will require a consistent string of team performances like today’s in order to turn that dream to reality.

Joel Tracy

@jtras2