Four minutes left in this absolute belter of a match.

Tottenham are giving away a lot of free-kicks now, and Liverpool are happy to eat up time.

Inspired from Brendan. Surely?

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty at Anfield

"Inspired substitution or desperate punt? No-one inside Anfield (apart from the Spurs fans) cares as Liverpool have the lead for the third time through Mario Balotelli's first Premier League goal for the club. As we said earlier - law of averages dictated it would happen sometime."

Tottenham are going long now. Which is fine, they need a goal. Just getting that in there so Mauricio doesn't produce any LvG-style dossiers. Spurs are getting frustrated now and Paulinho becomes the fifth player to be booked as he brings down Adam Lallana.

John Hartson
BBC Radio 5 live

"Overall Liverpool have been really good. In terms of general play and the chances they have created, it has been a good performance from Liverpool."

Ash: Do my eyes deceive me? Mario Balotelli has scored!

Joseph Reade: Well, seems the postman does deliver the post after all...

Dan Cooper: Somebody pinch me, did Balotelli just score? ABOUT TIME! #SuperMario

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It worked for Mitchell Johnson, now it's working for Mario Balotelli.

A figure of fun, grows a tash, and an instant, overnight hero.

Tottenham make another change - Roberto Soldado on, Mousa Dembele off.

John Hartson
BBC Radio 5 live

"Balotelli is in the right place at the right time - in the six-yard box where all great strikers should be. That is the point and allows him to get a little tap-in from Adam Lallana's cross."

That's all he needed - a moustache and he's a new man. A goalscoring hero!

Mario Balotelli scores what might be the winner when he sidefoots home from six yards after being teed up by Adam Lallana's low cross. Never in doubt.

Image source, AFP

Liverpool have got a prospect on their hands in Emre Can. He's moved into midfield now and is ghosting past players for fun as he drives the Reds forward.

Time for one last effort, boys. Who wants it?

He is human after all. Harry Kane drags the ball out of play after being played in down the right by Mousa Dembele. Another change for Spurs, with Nacer Chadli on for Christian Eriksen.

Abhishek: Balo has had more hairstyles than goals this season.

lfcway: Time for Balotelli to pay something back to Rodgers? Surely....

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A flurry of substitutions have taken the edge from this game for the time being. Now Liverpool bring on Adam Lallana for Lazar Markovic.

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty at Anfield

Image source, PA

"Good effort from Daniel Sturridge tonight on his first start since the end of August. Mario Balotelli is on - not exactly to unanimous approval - but perhaps the law of average will work in favour of Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers."

John Hartson
BBC Radio 5 live

"Tottenham have hung in there and kept going and pegged Liverpool back twice. That's great spirit Pochettino has got in this side."

There's a delay to the action while Kyle Walker receives treatment for a facial injury sustained in a tangle with Emre Can. On the sidelines, Mauricio Pochettino pulls his snood over his face and his substitutes sit giggling. Who's let one go?

Daniel Sturridge's impressive return to the starting line-up comes to an end. Mario Balotelli, sporting a new tash, is on in his place.