Balotelli 'disrespectful' to grab penalty, says Gerrard

Liverpool win, but Balotelli steals headlines yet again after taking the ball from Jordan Henderson

Mario Balotelli of Liverpool FC
(Image credit: OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty)

Liverpool 1 Besiktas 0. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard accused Mario Balotelli of "disrespect" after the Italian striker insisted on taking the crucial penalty that won the Reds the game against Besiktas.

The Turkish outfit had put up stiff resistance in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 clash at Anfield but all their hard work was undone when Ramon Motta fouled Jordon Ibe inside the area. Referee Szymon Marciniak awarded a penalty to the Reds and Jordan Henderson – deputising as captain for the injured Gerrard – stepped up to take the spot kick.

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Bill Mann is a football correspondent for The Week.co.uk, scouring the world's football press daily for the popular Transfer Talk column.