UK Back Pages: Mario Balotelli Hailed, QPR in for Michael Laudrup?

It was a long time coming, but under-fire Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli scored his first Premier League goal with the club. 

And what timing he had to do so. 

In a tense race for the Champions League spots, Balotelli delivered a late winner as the Reds edged Tottenham 3-2 in a thriller at Anfield. Deservedly, Balotelli was hailed in Wednesday's back pages. 

He's simply "Super Mario" in Star Sport, and QPR are linked with Michael Laudrup as their next manager. 

"

Wednesday's Daily Star back page: Super Mario #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/zbguHyuzdg

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) February 10, 2015"

Mirror Sport's "Finally Mario" headline plays on Balotelli's Twitter handle and alludes to his long goalscoring slump in the Premier League. 

"

Wednesday's Daily Mirror back page: LVG's Long Shot #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/8v5mrOjvUy

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) February 10, 2015"

Sun Sport similarly leads with Balotelli and also runs a story on Louis van Gaal's statistical dossier trying to disprove Sam Allardyce's "Longball United" claims. 

"

Wednesday's Sun back page: Laughing Stock #tomorrowspaperstoday #BBCPapers pic.twitter.com/IRSG1b8cDI

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) February 10, 2015"

Daily Express leads with the lucrative TV deal between the Premier League announced with Sky and BT Sport. 

"

Wednesday's Daily Express back page: £5bn Premier League jackpot #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/4IBA4qpE5E

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) February 10, 2015"