Jamie Redknapp: 'Mario Balotelli can be Liverpool's spark'

Former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp has backed Mario Balotelli to star against Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.

The Italy international joined the Reds from AC Milan for around £16m on Monday, and Redknapp thinks that the former Rossoneri star can have an immediate impact at White Hart Lane.

He told Sky Sports News: "[Brendan Rodgers] will be hoping [Balotelli] can make a difference.

"Maybe he comes in and gives them the spark they need. Last year was 9-0 on aggregate over the two games and [Liverpool] outclassed [Spurs] totally.

"We're going to find out a bit more about Spurs today. Liverpool have the pace and they can cause Tottenham problems."

Meanwhile, Reds winger Raheem Sterling believes that his new teammate can replace Luis Suarez, who was sold to Barcelona.