Liverpool completed their tricky three game Premier League opening spell with an important victory over Spurs.
Tottenham had started the season well, but this was Liverpool's best performance so far and the reds ran out deserved 3-0 winners in the Liverpool manager's 100th competitive game in charge.
Brendan Rodgers dropped Coutinho to make way for new arrival Mario Balotelli, and injuries to Glen Johnson and Martin Skrtel ensured Javi Manquillo and Mamadou Sakho were back in the side. Alberto Moreno recovered from his twisted ankle to take his place at left back.
Balotelli played for the hour and could have had a hat-trick. Two close range headers and a volley wide suggested the player is still half in pre-season mode. However his involvement in defending corners and holding up the ball for others were all positive signs for the future.
Liverpool's first arrived early - the 7th minute. Sturridge created space - fed the onrushing Jordan Henderson who sent another pass across goal for Raheem Sterling to pounce on at the far post.
The reds dominated most of the first half although Simon Mignolet was called in to action to stop a Nacer Chadli drive.
Early in the second half Joe Allen was pulled back in the penalty area - up stepped Steven Gerrard (not Mario Balotelli who apparently asked if he could take the penalties) to score. Gerrard has now scored in 16 consecutive league seasons for Liverpool - a new record.
There was still time for Moreno to grab his first goal for Liverpool. After dwelling on the ball for Man City's first goal on Monday - he was quick to pounce on Andros Townsend in the centre of the White Hart Lane pitch. After snatching the ball he picked up the pace and powered goalbound - the red swarm was moving forward but Moreno lashed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
It was a fine goal and capped a wonderful display from the new Liverpool left back. Manquillo too on the other side had a good performance - and Glen Johnson may just have found himself relegated to second choice.
The reds can look back at 6 points from their opening 3 games with some pleasure. They lost against Man City - but away against the Champions is arguably the hardest game of the season. Despite Pellegrini's post match analysis of it being a 'six-pointer' the reds are level on points with them after they failed to defeat Stoke at home.
An international break now takes hold but Liverpool will have a busy September on their return with 5 games in the final 2 and a half weeks - including a Merseyside derby at Anfield, a league cup tie against Middlesbrough and of course the return of the Champions League.
Excited?
