Steven Gerrard might have made a big deal over Mario Balotelli's insistence on taking Liverpool's penalty in their 1-0 win over Besiktas, but the Liverpool captain's comments from earlier in the season  indicate the striker was right to take the ball from Jordan Henderson. Injured midfielder Gerrard, working as a ITV pundit for Liverpool's first-leg Europa League win, accused Balotelli of showing 'disrespect' and labelled him 'mischievous' after he took the winning penalty ahead of stand-in skipper  Henderson. But with Balotelli having missed just two of his 29 career penalties, Gerrard spoke out earlier this season to confirm that the £16million summer signing would be Brendan Rodgers' second-choice spot-kick taker.
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Gerrard accused Balotelli of 'disrespect' for taking penalty from Henderson
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Stand-in skipper saw his authority questioned by Balotelli's behaviour
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But Gerrard previously made it clear Italian was second pick for penalties
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England striker Sturridge was less than impressed with his strike-partner
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Jamie Redknapp: Balotelli doesn't have a long-term future at Liverpool, his team-mates don't like him and he lacks respect
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@placeholder doesn't expect to be back in action until two weeks time and thinks the second leg will come too soon.