Defender Dejan Lovren declared Mario Balotelli's goal in Liverpool's 2-1 League Cup win on Tuesday is "a relief for everyone".
Liverpool
defeated Swansea City 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the cup
competition, coming from behind thanks to late goals from Balotelli and
Lovren.
Swansea had looked on track for victory at Anfield after Marvin Emnes
gave them the lead but Balotelli equalised with four minutes left
before Lovren struck in the fifth minute of stoppage time to secure
victory for Liverpool.
It was just Balotelli's second goal for Liverpool since joining from
Milan and Lovren indicated the Italian striker's scoring drought had
been weighing on the Merseyside club.
"I think it's a relief for everyone but I was sure that Mario would
score today or tomorrow so it was just a [matter of] time," the Croatian
defender told Sky Sports.
"Everyone has confidence in Mario, he's working very hard in training, so it will come with time."
Lovren added he expects Balotelli to produce a run of goals after
getting on the scoresheet in the League Cup: "When you score a goal all
the heavy weight that was on your shoulders [is lifted]...and I think
now his time will come."
After Emnes opened the scoring in the 65th minute with a smart volley
on the turn, Liverpool hit back in the 86th with Balotelli prodding a
right-wing cross home from inside the six-yard box.
Swansea suffered a serious blow when defender Federico Fernandez was
controversially sent off in the 92nd minute but Lovren - who scored the
winner with a back-post header - said Liverpool deserved to prevail.
"It was a tough game but we showed today our character," the 25-year-old said.
"I think we played better than the last two games and 100 per cent we deserved this win today.
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