Super Mario is back in the Premier League, and that is great news for every football fan.
When you think of Mario Balotelli, what is the first thing that springs to mind? Fireworks in the bathroom? Visiting a women's prison? Struggling to put on a bib? That hat?
All understandable, and a huge part of the Mario Balotelli attraction, but his on-field accomplishments shouldn't be overlooked. Remember that brilliant goal for Italy at Euro 2012? We bet you'll remember the celebration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPmG4kbLhiI
Then there was the pass to Aguero for THAT goal and what about this absolute thronker from his time at AC Milan?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWCd3MNQA8Q
Over his career his goals per game in the league is just a shade under half (0.46 to be precise), so he is as effective on the field as he is effervescent off it, and that is why it is tremendous that he is back in the Premier League.
The departure of Luis Suarez, a genuine world-class player, robbed the league, and especially Liverpool, of a spark, a reason to watch. Brendan Rodgers decision to bring in Balotelli solves that in a swoop, and for a bargain basement price of £16m too.
So, how did his debut at Spurs go at the weekend? In truth, he should have scored. He put one close-range chance right at Hugo Lloris and his other four efforts all flew wide of the goal frame. But we know that with his quality, goals will come. It was other aspects of his play that made his comeback to the Premier League so heartening to Liverpool fans.
Often, correctly, accused of being lackadaisical and disinterested, Balotelli was switched on at White Hart Lane. Tellingly, he made a number of fouls in the attacking third, all due to his commitment to Liverpool's high pressing game.
Even more importantly, he was responsible for a number of headed clearances, doing the unglamourous work that has to be done to succeed under Rodgers. In his post-match interview, the manager spoke about allocating Balotelli with defensive duties at corners.
"I am giving him responsibility. For the first time in his life, he marked at a corner. Serious.
“We were doing corners [in training] and I said to him, ‘I’m putting you on [a man] at [defensive] corners. He said: 'I don't mark at corners.' I said: ‘You do now!’”.
That story tells a lot about how Balotelli has been treated before, and how he will be treated at Liverpool. His talent was always beyond question. The application of those gifts was what was in doubt.
While Balotelli may not be supping at the last-chance saloon (he is only 24 after all), he is probably drinking next door, so a successful period at Liverpool is really important to him. Arguably he needs Liverpool just as much, if not more, than they need him.
That is a powerful motivator and, based on the hour of action we saw on Sunday, it is working.
We're sure there will be lots of harmless, and hilarious, stuff that pops up over the season, but from a football point of view, the possibility to see a focused, happy and in-form Mario Balotelli is a mouth-watering prospect.
Welcome back Mario.
