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Mario can be a super team player

It was not the best start to Mario Balotelli's Liverpool career. Having accidentally missed his team-mates coming out of the tunnel – and therefore, somewhat amusingly, walking out when eyes weren't solely on him - he then missed a glorious chance within two minutes of his debut.

It is at this point where the accounts and recollections of Balotelli differ. The bad Balotelli, which some pundits have delighted in telling stories about, would have dropped his head, hunched his shoulders and found himself in trouble. The good Balotelli, perhaps not as interesting or blockbuster, would get back to work and look to rectify.

This was the good Balotelli.

Granted, could have had a hat trick in the first half alone with two wayward headers and a decent half-chance. He also completed just half of his passes, signalling his build-up play is something to be worked upon.

But how he ran. How he led the line. How he moved to create space for others.

Something had been missing from Daniel Sturridge's game both in pre-season and in the first two league games, but he had it once more – a partner who can occupy and pester, allowing him to run at tiring legs.

Something had been missing from Raheem Sterling's game, no matter how slight. But now, the 19-year-old ran into space instead of limbs, towards the box rather than away.

Part of it was the change of system by Brendan Rodgers. But what made the Reds so strong last season, and what will do so again, is how those tactical changes are carried out by personnel.

Balotelli carried out his role. He is not simply a decoy for Sturridge, the workhorse to allow his partner to shine – but there will be times when runs go undetected. That he – like Luis Suarez – can provide other threats is a bonus.

He even made a clearance in his own box at 1-0.

Creases will still need to be ironed out, but it is a good start. The finishing will surely come, but Balotelli has arrived.

Full backs are integral to Rodgers' system

Football can be unforgiving, sometimes. Alberto Moreno's debut away to the champions was solid defensively and he showed real flashes of what he could do in an offensive capacity. Then, a brief lapse of concentration, an unfamiliarity with the Premier League if nothing more, and he supposedly had a debut to forget.

How pleasing for him, then, to do what he was doing against City – and to have it highlighted in the most spectacular fashion. A strong challenge and an intent to attack, finished off with a wonderful finish hard and low across Hugo Lloris.

The tackle on Andros Townsend was one of four. His dribble, which began a good 60 yards from goal, was one of a number of surges down the left-hand side. It deserved a goal. It earned him a goal.

The reaction was immediate. His name was sung by the travelling support. Comparisons, no doubt, began with other marauding left backs who have graced Anfield down the years.

It is too early for that, but Liverpool do now appear to have a full back who can defend and attack in their natural position (so Jon Flanagan at left back does not apply).

In fact, Liverpool would appear to have two.

Javi Manquillo showed maturity yet again having been booked early on in the right back position; his work was maybe not as flashy as Moreno's, but he made four tackles, just like his compatriot. He made a team-high six interceptions and no player in the league so far averages more tackles and interceptions combined. Stopping crosses from coming in became a problem for Liverpool; that problem may have been solved.

But because of Moreno's wonder goal, Manquillo's work may be undetected. Football can be unforgiving, sometimes.

In Rodgers' system – particularly when playing the narrower diamond formation – the work of the two full backs is essential. These two were amongst the top four in terms of touches for the Reds (Moreno 62, Manquillo 60). This was very much a performance to set the standard for the rest of the season.

(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

… And so is Jordan Henderson

The rise, the turnaround, the ascension. However the Anfield career of Jordan Henderson is phrased, it's incredible to watch. Against a Mauricio Pochettino side with a penchant for pressing, Henderson outpressed them all. He harried, he harassed - and he harangued at the notion he doesn't do anything but those two things.

The evolution of Henderson continues. That is now two assists for him this season – third-highest this season, albeit in its early stages – and a number of threatening runs. He must show to the doubters how he is not just somebody to plug gaps, but someone who can play. He showed them once more on Sunday.

Do these doubters exist any longer? His ball for Sterling's first was excellent; his constant movement forward vital in the midfield diamond. He still ran, of course, but this was a performance containing a lot more. The ECHO's Neil Jones commented how, as Steven Gerrard took his penalty, Henderson spoke to Moreno and Manquillo, reminding the young Spanish duo of their defensive responsibilities.

A vice-captain in waiting perhaps, and a force to be reckoned with. At 24, he now strides around the pitch, guiding others through it. Of the five most frequent passing combinations between Liverpool players, he was involved in three – exchanging 15 passes with Manquillo, who faced his first away game in English football.

Watching Henderson, there is an inescapable feeling the doubts about him will continue to disintegrate even further this season. Liverpool – and England – might have their midfield sorted for the next decade.

The team is still familiarising itself with each other

The contribution of Simon Mignolet cannot be forgotten, particularly after some found it difficult to forgive him against Manchester City. With the score at 1-0 and Spurs on the front foot towards half time, he palmed away Nacer Chadli's volley.

But the goalkeeper should have never even faced it. The long ball saw Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho get in a muddle, allowing Chadli to steal in. The Reds were fortunate his shot was so direct and Mignolet was so alert.

Sakho and Lovren acted as if they had never played together before.

Maybe that's because they haven't.

Indeed, the back four itself fielded three signings from this summer, and another from last summer.

The Reds have spent five years fielding one of Skrtel, Jose Enrique, Glen Johnson or Daniel Agger in their Premier League starting 11.

Mistakes are bound to happen. And while there is credit in the argument some of the mistakes – sloppiness in possession and rashness in the challenge – are nothing to do with unfamiliarity, they are inevitable teething problems after so many changes.

It will take time for these players to settle – but they do have time on their side. This was the youngest side named by Brendan Rodgers since he took charge at Anfield with an average age of just 24 years and 211 days. Lazar Markovic and Emre Can, who came on as substitutes, are both 20.

The defensive partnership in the middle caused some distress at times, but time and patience – plus the knowledge Skrtel lurks when returning from injury – could see that change.

(Image: Action Images / Peter Cziborra)

Five years is a long time in football

On August 16, 2009, Rafael Benitez took his side to Spurs on the opening day. Having finished second the season before, this was the substitutes' bench:

Diego Cavalieri, Martin Kelly, Andrea Dossena, Daniel Ayala, Yossi Benayoun, Jay Spearing, Andriy Voronin.

Cavalieri would become a strong goalkeeper back in Brazil. Kelly and Ayala had never played a minute of first-team football, while Spearing had been limited to two cameos in Europe. Dossena and Voronin were deemed unsuitable for Liverpool. It was left to Benayoun to provide the only bit of quality from the bench.

On August 31, 2014, Rodgers took his side to Spurs for the third game of the season. Having finished second the season before, though admittedly selling Suarez for £75m, this was the substitutes' bench:

Brad Jones, Jose Enrique, Kolo Toure, Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can, Lazar Markovic, Rickie Lambert.

Jones has played in an FA Cup semi-final. Enrique has been at the club since 2011, while Toure has won the Premier League, although his star has now dimmed. Coutinho, who didn't even get on the pitch, is one of the league's most exciting players and finds himself in the Brazilian national squad; Markovic is one of the most highly-rated youngsters in Europe, Can is a German Under-21 international with Champions League experience, and Lambert scored 28 goals in the past two seasons.

What a difference five years, and sensible ownership, makes.