Balotelli in for Reds as City bares striker woe
Print Edition
ANYONE questioning Liverpool’s purchase of controversial Italian striker Mario Balotelli need only glance at Manchester City's scoresheet on Monday to understand why firepower up front could be crucial to determining this season’s English Premier League.
The Merseysiders, runners-up to City last season in one of the tightest top-flight campaigns in recent memory, looked to be comfortably keeping the champions at bay when three goals in 25 minutes at Etihad Stadium shattered any illusions.
The first two came from Stevan Jovetic, who had a forgettable first season in England after arriving from Fiorentina due to injury, but was given his chance after impressing in preseason.
He rewarded manager Manuel Pellegrini with strikes either side of halftime before Sergio Aguero, still working his way back to full fitness, found the net 23 seconds after replacing Edin Dzeko. With Alvaro Negredo still fighting to be fit, City has an embarrassment of attacking riches that make it one of the favorites.
As Liverpool went close to ending a 24-year title drought last season, the attacking duo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge caused its own brand of chaos, netting 52 league goals between them. But with Suarez sold to Barcelona, another top-class striker is clearly needed at Anfield and Balotelli may well be the answer.
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