adminLONDON. — Mario Balotelli was accused of being “disrespectful” to his team-mates despite scoring the penalty that secured a crucial 1-0 Europa League win for Liverpool over Besiktas on Thursday night. The Italy striker dispatched an 85th minute spot-kick after first taking the ball off stand-in captain Jordan Henderson to provoke a post-match furore.
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, injured for the last 32 first leg tie at Anfield, was part of ITV’s pundit team and afterwards took issue with Balotelli and said he had broken dressing room protocol.
“Jordan should have taken the penalty,” said Gerrard. “Rules are rules. It should have been Henderson. Mario has been a bit mischievous.
“Credit to Mario, he’s scored, but it’s not nice to see when footballers are arguing. I think Jordan has handled the situation very well.
“Jordan is the captain and Mario showed Jordan a bit of disrespect there, but he’s scored a very important goal. I think six or seven players would have wanted to take that penalty so if they all say they are taking it, what happens then?! Rules are in place for a reason.”
Liverpool head to the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul next Thursday — the scene of their famous 2005 Champions League triumph — with a slender advantage. — AFP.
Online Reporter