Balotelli Goal and Capital One Cup Win to Provide Momentum Liverpool Have Missed

LIVERPOOL, England—Liverpool needed two late goals to edge past Swansea City in the Capital One Cup fourth round at Anfield on Tuesday night, Mario Balotelli's equaliser coming five minutes before the end of normal time and Dejan Lovren's winner five minutes into stoppage time.

Brendan Rodgers shuffled his pack, rested key players Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard, and for once his fringe players stood up to the challenge.

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Lucas Leiva provided far more movement and therefore shielding of the defence from midfield, Glen Johnson continued to baffle with his much better performance at left-back, while Fabio Borini hustled, worked and pressed in a Dirk Kuyt-esque fashion.

There were some more disappointing performances, especially from £20 million attacker Lazar Markovic—who started brightly but went missing in the second half, but on the whole, Rodgers will be pleased with how his side performed.

Assistant boss Colin Pascoe claimed, as reported by Phil Kirkbride in The Liverpool Echo, post-match that this was possibly the best The Reds had played this season. "The way we played was probably the best we’ve played all season," he said. "The lads showed character, kept going and we got the win in the end."

That this was the Reds' best performance this season would be a hard sell, especially if you think back to the 3-0 win at Tottenham, but it is perhaps a sign of how poor performances on the whole have been in the opening months of the season.

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Liverpool did dominate proceedings in the first half but struggled after the break until the late flurry following Balotelli's arrival. Lovren's goal was fortunate in that Federico Fernandez had just been sent off, and Gerhard Tremmel did his best David James impression in front of the Kop. Without that, the game likely went into extra time.

Alas, it did go in, and the relief was apparent on the pitch and in the stands—this was just what the doctor ordered for Rodgers and his side, who have looked fragile of late.

Hopefully now this win will provide Liverpool's improving squad with the confidence they crave and provide a platform for momentum going forward.

Late goals and come-from-behind wins always feel better and can often gloss over facts like how Liverpool were mighty close to going out to Rodgers' former side, but crucially they give fans and players an added boost. If this were a league win, it would feel like more than three points won.

It was the same against Queens Park Rangers a fortnight ago, when a barmy ending to the game saw Liverpool snatch the points in stoppage time.

However, any momentum gained from that late win was ended pretty swiftly when Real Madrid arrived on Merseyside to provide a lesson just three days later.

Confidence was sapped, and Liverpool struggled to recover against Hull City during what is a packed fixture schedule.

Perhaps, then, having players not involved so heavily in the last few weeks was a major reason for Liverpool's comeback against Swansea on Tuesday.

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The Reds travel to Newcastle on Saturday, before flying out to Madrid. Three points at St. James' Park will provide momentum Liverpool have missed, while Balotelli's goal will hopefully spur him on. Mind, we've been here before after his last-minute Ludogorets winner too.

Momentum was what carried Liverpool to their unexpected title challenge last season, especially during their 11-game winning streak.

Liverpool need to ensure they follow up the defeat of Swansea with a win at Newcastle, because their next Premier League game after that is at home to Chelsea and a date with vengeance.