Mario Balotelli made a lively debut for Liverpool as the Reds came away from White Hart Lane with a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League match on Sunday.

Balotelli was handed a starting place by Brendan Rodgers ahead of Philippe Coutinho and the Italian striker came close to scoring the opening goal after just two minutes, but his header was kept out by Hugo Lloris.

Lloris however could do nothing to keep Liverpool from taking the lead five minutes later, with Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge combining to set up Raheem Sterling to score the opener.

Emmanuel Adebayor had a chance to level for the home side when his lob beat Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal, but the ball went over the goal as well.

Tottenham’s hope of a comeback was dealt a blow early in the second half when Steven Gerrard converted from the penalty spot in the 49th minute after Eric Dier brought down Joe Allen in the area.

Full back Alberto Moreno then sealed the result for Liverpool on the hour mark, dispossessing substitute Andros Townsend before scoring.

The result is a third successive league win for the Reds over Tottenham, following 5-0 and 4-0 wins last season.

In other matches played today, Alexis Sanchez scored his first Premier League goal as Arsenal was held to a 1-1 draw at newly promoted Leicester City while Aston Villa got a 2-1 win at home to Hull City.