Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has been giving his views on the controversial penalty incident during his side's 1-0 win against Besiktas in the first leg of their last-32 Europa League tie. Substitute Mario Balotelli scored the spot-kick, but only after taking the ball off stand-in captain Jordan Henderson, who also wanted to take it.
But Rodgers said: "There has been a lot more drama made about it from you (the media) than us. It's very clear who the penalty takers are. When Steven plays he is number one. With the players on at the start of the game Jordan was nominated penalty taker.
"But if Jordan, Steven and Mario are on the pitch at the same time then we normally have Steven or Mario take penalties."
He added: "Jordan Henderson showed his maturity and what a team player he is as he respected that Mario Balotelli is an outstanding penalty taker and was happy to give it to him to take. Mario had the coolness and calmness to score the penalty.
"You can see the respect and commitment the players have towards each other. I don't like it when you see at my team, or any other team, four or five players around the ball all trying to take it.
"What has not been mentioned is what a great performance it was and one that puts us in a strong position for the second leg."
