Balotelli in line for Liverpool debut against Tottenham

The Associated Press
Published Friday, August 29, 2014 3:12PM EDT

Liverpool's Adam Lallana, left, and Mario Balotelli in the stands during the English Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, where Manchester City were playing Liverpool, on Monday Aug. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/PA, Peter Byrne)

LIVERPOOL, England -- Mario Balotelli is in line to make his Liverpool debut against Tottenham on Sunday after impressing manager Brendan Rodgers in the Italy striker's first practice sessions with his new club.

Rodgers says Balotelli "has settled in very well and has looked fantastic in training. . He is engrossing himself into the club and the people, but more importantly into his football."

Balotelli joined Liverpool from AC Milan for 16 million pounds ($26.5 million) on Monday, with Rodgers replacing one maverick striker in Luis Suarez with another.

Known as much for his controversies as his goals, Balotelli is arousing excitement among Liverpool fans but Rodgers says "this isn't the Mario Balotelli show. He is a good player, a talented player, but he has got a lot of work to do here."

Sports

Latest Sports News

Members of NHL community and beyond pay tribute to legendary broadcaster Bob Cole

Members of the NHL community and beyond paid tribute Bob Cole on Thursday after the legendary broadcaster died at age 90.

Maple Leafs

Leafs winger William Nylander sits 3rd straight playoff game with undisclosed injury

William Nylander seems to be getting closer. The Maple Leafs winger also still isn't quite ready join the playoff fray.

Maple Leafs News Stories

Blue Jays

Witt's 2-run double after a costly Blue Jays error sends Kansas City to a 3-2 win over Toronto

Bobby Witt Jr. delivered the go-ahead double in the fifth inning for Kansas City after a costly error by Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and the Royals' bullpen shut down Toronto the rest of the way in a 3-2 victory Tuesday night.

Blue Jays News Stories

Raptors

Canada's sports integrity body sees Porter case as a warning for sports betting

Canada's sports integrity watchdog is pushing for stronger policies to prevent competitive manipulation and match-fixing at all levels of competition.

Raptors News Stories

Toronto Argonauts

Argos quarterback Kelly denies harassment allegations made by former team employee

Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly is denying allegations that he harassed a former employee of the CFL club.

Argonauts News Stories

Toronto FC

Prince Owusu's acrobatic second-half strike lifts Toronto FC past New England

Prince Owusu's spectacular 66th-minute strike helped Toronto FC snap its three-game Major League Soccer losing streak with a 1-0 win over the struggling New England Revolution on Saturday.