The Italian finally got on the scoresheet as he came off the bench in the League Cup before the defender netted his first Reds goal in the dying moments at Anfield

Mario Balotelli and Dejan Lovren secured a spectacular late turnaround as Liverpool came from behind to beat Swansea City 2-1 in the League Cup fourth round.

Marvin Emnes had given the Swans the lead midway through the second half when he volleyed home, leading Brendan Rodgers to summon Balotelli from the bench as the minutes ticked down.

The Italian scored seven minutes after his introduction before the Croatian defender netted his first Reds goal in stoppage time to delight Anfield.

More to follow…

The Uruguay international guided Liverpool to the Champions League last term with his goals, but it was not enough to make the 23-man shortlist

Barcelona star Luis Suarez has missed out on a nomination for the 2014 Fifa Ballon d’Or despite his incredible season for Liverpool last term.

The Uruguay international fired the Anfield side to third place in the Premier League with 31 goals in 2013/14 – thus securing Champions League football – while winning the European Golden Shoe and Premier League top scorer awards in the process.

However, Fifa has opted to leave Suarez off their 23-man shortlist after he missed four months of action due to suspension for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in Brazil.

Other notable absentees include Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, who came in third in last year’s vote, his team-mate Robert Lewandowski, Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal and fellow Serie A star Miralem Pjanic, as well as Real Madrid’s Luka Modric.

Barcelona’s lack of silverware this year means regulars such as Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Xavi have not made the list either.

Furthermore, several accomplished Premier League players have been overlooked, with Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Sergio Aguero, Aaron Ramsey and Nemanja Matic all missing out.

Without the forward, last season’s Premier League runners-up have won just four of their opening nine games and trail league-leaders Chelsea by nine points

Brendan Rodgers believes Daniel Sturridge needs European performances to become a top-class striker at Liverpool once he returns from injury.

The England striker has not featured for his club since the end of August, having picked up a thigh problem while on international duty in September before suffering a setback midway through October.

Liverpool have struggled in his absence, with Mario Balotelli still searching for his first Premier League goal following his €20 million move, but Rodgers is confident Sturridge can provide a lift upon his return.

“Top players have such an influence on the team,” Rodgers told reporters. “When you are under the cosh, you know that you have strikers who can score out of nothing. It is a big weapon.

“Sturridge is one of them. That is where we aim to get with Daniel. But he won’t become a top European striker until he plays consistently. It doesn’t matter about potential. You have to play.

“When he comes back into the team, you will see the confidence because of the movement and the dynamic, but he isn’t fit and he hasn’t been for a long time.”