'Balotelli overcame concern to score'
Colin Pascoe has revealed how Mario Balotelli overcame a pre-match injury concern to help fire Liverpool into the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Swansea City at Anfield.
With the Reds trailing 1-0 to Marvin Emnes's finely-struck goal midway through the second half, the Italian came off the bench to net with just four minutes left on the clock.
It was a strike that proved pivotal in the contest and gave Liverpool the impetus to go on and clinch a spectacular win as Dejan Lovren headed home deep into stoppage-time to send the hosts into the last eight of the tournament.
"Mario is working hard in training and he got his just rewards by coming on and getting the goal," Pascoe reflected in the post-match press conference.
"Of course [it's something for him to build on]. He works hard and I'm glad he got the goal.
"He wants to work all the time. He's still a young lad, a tremendous talent and he wants to work on his movement and finishing. After every session, he wants to do that. For him, it was great for him to get the goal."
Pascoe acknowledged Balotelli's hand in Liverpool's comeback could have been in doubt after he twisted his knee in the pre-match warm up at Anfield.
However, the 24-year-old was assessed by the Reds' medical staff, who deemed him fit enough to participate in the contest.
"He twisted his studs in the ground [in the warm-up] and he was sent in to see the physio to see if he was alright or not," stated Pascoe. "He felt something in his knee, but as you saw, he came on and his knee looked alright.
"We had to assess him, but he's fine. It was just a precaution. I didn't know until I came in at the end of the game, but the way he was moving about, I don't think there was much wrong with his knee!"
Reflecting on the contest, Pascoe insisted he wasn't concerned Liverpool could be making a premature exit from the tournament, despite Swansea holding a lead heading into the final stages.
"With the way we were playing I thought we were always going to create a chance," said the Liverpool assistant manager.
"I thought we were unfortunate to be 1-0 down as the way we played was possibly the best we've played all season, with the character of the lads to keep going and get the win.
"At the end of the day, it's a win - even if it was so late. It's a great feeling."