20 Feb 2015 17:27:28
Just want to give my take on the balotelli penalty situation. I think the main reason Henderson stuttered to give the ball to balotelli was because sturridge was obviously in his ear telling him he doesn't deserve to take it as they had put a shift in the whole night. But from what I saw (which was the second half) Henderson and sturridge were wasteful the whole half and in attack where stopping our attacks. Balotelli was brilliant and our only real threat. So many of our players were so lack lustre that second half, I was suprised how besiktas never looked like punishing us, but the only player running our attack was balo. He was certainly the rightful penalty taker as Daniel would probably miss and Henderson isn't a great set peice taker himself. The best in this team are Gerrard, lambert and balotelli. If one of them is on the pitch they take it. Nothing to do with etticate, they are the most established to take them and that's final. Suarez was awful at penalties and he understood this.

1.) 20 Feb 2015
20 Feb 2015 19:24:29
Two people were out of order last night and Balotelli was not one of them.

Sturridge was the main culprit, stirring things up like a little spoilt kid when it wasn't warranted. He would have preferred Henderson to take that penalty for one reason only - ie he doesn't want Balotelli to upstage him in any way. He is such a selfish player that he would rather Henderson, who has no track record whatsoever of taking high pressure penalties, take it before an expert penalty taker. I like Sturridge but he is in danger of believing his own hype and needs to realise that to reach the very top level you have to have more awareness than selfishness. He was greedy all night, right from that early shot from an impossible angle, to holding on too long and losing possession.

I can guarantee that EVERY Liverpool supporter in the ground or watching on television would be wanting Balotelli to take that penalty before Henderson. Despite it being counter-productive it would have been interesting to see what people would have thought of Sturridge's big mouth had Henderson taken it and missed.

Incidentally, the 2nd person out of order was obviously Gerrard, another one who looks like he wants to stir things up before he leaves. He's probably p*ss*d off that the team now play better without him. the only thing he proved last night was why he will never make a Manager.

2.) 21 Feb 2015
21 Feb 2015 04:13:32
BR said Balo was right to take the pen which makes Studge, Hendo and SG (especially) look like mugs. If SG is not on the field, Balo takes the pens then Lambo if necessary. The rest should take a day off.

3.) 21 Feb 2015
21 Feb 2015 04:32:34
I don't think Brendan would assign Henderson as penalty taker just because he was captain. Don't you think they would practice them in training? If he does well at them, and was comfortable to take responsibility, I say he was in his right to take it. Just my opinion though