Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is playing down the late penalty drama that saw Italian international Mario Balotelli give the Reds a 1-0 home win over Turkish club Besiktas last night at Anfield.
Balotelli took the ball from captain for the night Henderson and slotted home Liverpool’s winner despite the fact it was Henderson who should have taken the penalty-kick.
When asked after the match who was supposed to take the penalty, Rodgers said: “I am clarifying we won the game 1-0. I have a number of outstanding penalty takers with Jordan and Mario and Rickie Lambert.
“We won the game. It was an excellent result and performance and it was always going to be a tight game.
“I believe Besiktas have scored in every away game so it shows our defensive organisation we kept a clean sheet.
“Simon (Mignolet) had an outstanding save in the first half. We created chances and moved the ball quicker in the second half.
“It was the perfect result and sets up for the second leg next week.”
