It’s been the longest of countdowns but Mario Balotelli’s Anfield career, and Liverpool’s season, may finally have lift off.
This stadium was on the point of exasperation after 86 minutes of a Capital One cup-tie that was meandering Swansea City’s way courtesy of Marvin Emnes’ second half volley.
Balotelli had been summoned from the bench on 77 minutes, but it felt more in hope than expectation. He’d scored once in eleven games and in some previous appearances had been little more than an exhibition in the art of disinterest.
Then Fabio Borini scurried down the right wing and delivered the kind of cross his compatriot has been fantasising about. "Finally," he tweeted at full time. Finally, indeed. It was all about Mario for the right reasons, a neat finish in front of The Kop.
Dejan Lovren’s headed winner in the fifth minute of injury-time sparked the kind of celebrations usually reserved for the glorious European nights, but in the context of where Liverpool were heading it’s doubtful Brendan Rodgers has felt more relieved.
It was not without controversy. Federico Fernandez’s unfortunate red card a minute before time for a lunge on Philippe Coutinho assisted, enabling Liverpool to outnumber the visitors with the decisive 95th minute set-piece.
Garry Monk, an emotional and outspoken critic of referees a fortnight ago was more measured in his objections on this occasion.
For Rodgers, the opportunity to see this as catalyst for richer tidings will be irresistible. He has his sights on a trophy and with a Premier League challenge to match last season's highly unlikely the League Cup could become a meaningful consolation.
Rodgers swerved the post-match Press Conference (sending in assistant Colin Pascoe) possibly aware of a familiar subject in the post-match analysis.
At least on this occasion Balotelli delivered and there would no need to be defensive about his contribution.
It’s been a tough period of reassessment for everyone at Anfield and with four minutes left it seemed destined to be another evening where some fluent midfield play would go unrewarded.
Imagine heading to the Royal Shakespeare Company every week to see Laurence Olivier in his prime, only to find a year later you were being charged the same price to see Christopher Biggins playing Widow Twankey?
That is how it has felt for Liverpool supporters heading to this stadium since Luis Suarez’s departure.
It’s not Balotelli, Rickie Lambert, or Borini’s fault they’ve been so badly miscast in an attempt to replace the irreplaceable, but you have to forgive the audience for taking time to readjust their expectations.
The Kop needs some star quality to believe in again, so they’ll embrace this win and the manner of it, and hope their Italian striker produces similar every week.
Lambert was initially given the opportunity to give his Liverpool career a jolt and if goodwill has anything to do with it the goals will eventually flow for him, too. Like Balotelli, he is certainly improving and was somewhat unfortunate to be the man who made way for the Italian.
Other notable changes saw Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling rested, while Brad Jones replaced Simon Mignolet – and that is usually enough to make the sense of trepidation palpable. Jones’ distribution from the back makes Mignolet’s passing resemble Xabi Alonso.
It was Coutinho that offered the greatest threat. Gerhard Tremmel had to be alert to hold onto Lucas’ drive on eight minutes – Coutinho threading the pass to his compatriot. Playing in an advanced central role, Coutinho then dragged a shot wide on 13 minutes and another scintillating run at the heart of Swansea’s defence should have led to the opening goal midway through the first half.
Lucas and Henderson exchanged one-touch passes with Coutinho and worked a simple opening for Lazar Markovic, who somehow sliced a shot nearer to the corner flag than on goal.
Markovic was disappointing, likely to be the subject of plentiful 'give him time' lectures for the rest of this season. At £20 million, you have to expect much more.
There was a fluency to Liverpool’s game without the end product – not dissimilar to their weekend draw with Hull – and Swansea’s confidence grew as the game progressed, Jonjo Shelvey’s influence increasing.
By the time they took the lead through Dutchman Emnes on 66 minutes it was not surprising.
Borini, who performed well on his recall, had been involved in several tussles with Swansea full-back Neil Taylor, but it was the Italian’s tackle that deflected skywards into Emnes’ path.
He let it drop over his shoulder before volleying across Jones, an excellent finish to set up a finale that became more frenzied as full-time approached.
In truth, Swansea keeper Tremmel had been most troubled by shots from distance until Borini seemed to take the Swansea defence by surprise by the speed and height of his 86th minute cross, and the angle of delivery.
Balotelli, who would appear to be more of a six yard box poacher than all-round striker, was in the right spot to take advantage, shifting the momentum back Liverpool’s way.
When Coutinho was brought down by Fernandez the initial reaction – and the howls from The Kop – suggested it was a crude challenge. Referee Keith Shroud might have been affected by the emotional reaction of the stadium and showed the red card.
The replays were more sympathetic to the Swansea defender, but it left Monk’s side holding on for extra time.
Coutinho’s deep cross from a set-piece on the left wing found Lovren unmarked and Tremmel flapping. Liverpool had their win and Rodgers will hope both his side and his new striker will now find some momentum. Finally.
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