The Good, The Bad and The Ugly in Liverpool’s penalty debacle
Published:
As footballing kerfuffles go Liverpool’s against Besiktas when awarded a penalty late in the game was right up there.
Skipper on the night and seemingly captain elect once Steven Gerrard heads for Hollywood, Jordan Henderson was the designated spot kicker and had every right to take it.
Substitute Mario Balotelli had other ideas though. Much to the annoyance of fellow striker Daniel Sturridge, the Italian stayed true to his maverick persona by wrestling the ball of Henderson before promptly dispatching it into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
The net result was Liverpool gaining a valuable advantage in the tie with Besiktas, where the Reds are now 11/8 favourites to win the return leg in Istanbul and progress serenely.
However, it hasn’t stopped the media jumping on the backs of those involved, with Balotelli naturally copping most flack.
We’ve taken a more lighthearted approach to the scenario, Spaghetti Western style…
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