Penaltygate ...

[Paddy]

Balotelli was right, everyone else can go disappear up their own arseholes.

Well done Mario.

Simple as. Seems people want to make an issue over it simply because Mario was involved. Hendo acted like a cock, and so did Gerrard. Should have been discussed indoors if they so needed to, even though it should have been forgotten about amongst themselves straight after.

But Hendo the penalty taker? **** me.

[baitman]

Mario Balotelli showed disrespect to Henderson - Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard accused Mario Balotelli of showing "disrespect" by taking Liverpool's winning penalty against Besiktas ahead of Jordan Henderson.
Balotelli scored from the spot in Thursday's Europa League last-32 tie at Anfield to secure a 1-0 first-leg win.
That came after a disagreement with captain Henderson and Daniel Sturridge over who should take it.
Gerrard said: "Henderson is the captain and Balotelli showed Jordan a bit of disrespect there."

lots more...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31545332

[DannyMan2006]

History is thus:

In the record books it's a Liverpool win. No one will remember the fuss over the pen in the future. I couldn't care less whose in a huff tonight. Bottom line is we won, we wake up in the morning having beat a decent side and go to Soton and Turkey in better nick than had we not scored the pen.

People going off like we missed the damn thing. Much a do about nowt.

[MrMichael]

Gerrard asserting the premacy of the captain role and supporting his successor makes him a prick and a c*nt, oh and Henderson is a cock too basically just for being the captain? **** me I think I've woken up in a parallel dimension

[-V-]

Balotelli is obviously our best penalty taker after G. His record speaks for itself. He was wrong to go against team orders but credit where it's due. He got us the lead and he looked far better tonight than Sturridge

[Kenneth]

Gerrard asserting the premacy of the captain role and supporting his successor makes him a prick and a c*nt, oh and Henderson is a cock too basically just for being the captain? **** me I think I've woken up in a parallel dimension

I agree with your sentiment, but I don't think the criticism of Henderson is for 'being captain'.

[MrMichael]

I agree with your sentiment, but I don't think the criticism of Henderson is for 'being captain'.

What is it for then? Genuine question because I'm just catching up, seems to me like Hendo was the designated taker and captain, gave it up to Balotelli to save further arguing but wasn't all that happy about Mario putting himself above the team structure - hence my "just being captain" statement.

The number of people who seem to be arguing that the end justifies the means in this case, ie. because Balotelli has a good record from the spot that entitles him to push in ahead of Henderson (who must have some reason for being designated as a penalty taker btw), surprises me almost as much as the people who seem to think nothing of firing abuse at one of our greatest ever players, with all his insight into how things are behind the scenes that we don't have, just for speaking his mind.

[peekay]

What is it for then? Genuine question because I'm just catching up, seems to me like Hendo was the designated taker and captain, gave it up to Balotelli to save further arguing but wasn't all that happy about Mario putting himself above the team structure - hence my "just being captain" statement.

The number of people who seem to be arguing that the end justifies the means in this case, ie. because Balotelli has a good record from the spot that entitles him to push in ahead of Henderson (who must have some reason for being designated as a penalty taker btw), surprises me almost as much as the people who seem to think nothing of firing abuse at one of our greatest ever players, with all his insight into how things are behind the scenes that we don't have, just for speaking his mind.

Even if Mario had broken some team rules or went against the manager in taking the spot kick, this should have been something which should have been dealt with in house.

Gerrards comment pretty much is like petrol to a fire. Absolutely no need for him to make that statement.

[topscorer]

Gerrard asserting the premacy of the captain role and supporting his successor makes him a prick and a c*nt, oh and Henderson is a cock too basically just for being the captain? **** me I think I've woken up in a parallel dimension

LOL, I thought I'd woken up in a parallel dimension where MrMichael had gone mad. Took me a while reading back to work out it was sarcasm. **** I'm tired.

[MrMichael]

Even if Mario had broken some team rules or went against the manager in taking the spot kick, this should have been something which should have been dealt with in house.

Gerrards comment pretty much is like petrol to a fire. Absolutely no need for him to make that statement.

Which although I don't necessarily agree in this case is a perfectly valid viewpoint. In general I'm not at all keen on this trend of current players commentating on their own team's games as there is always the potential for this sort of stuff.

I do think however that there's a world of difference between calling his comments "unnecessary" and calling him a prick and a cunt we can't wait to get rid of, I just find that really distasteful.

[peekay]

Which although I don't necessarily agree in this case is a perfectly valid viewpoint. In general I'm not at all keen on this trend of current players commentating on their own team's games as there is always the potential for this sort of stuff.

I do think however that there's a world of difference between calling his comments "unnecessary" and calling him a prick and a cunt we can't wait to get rid of, I just find that really distasteful.

[Assassin]

What interested me most with this was Can clearly telling both Henderson and Sturridge to come back and celebrate properly. Can will be our captain.

Another thing Rodgers said Gerrard should have taken it, as he is the pelanty taker

This is just people making a Balotelli out of a mole hill

[Slinky Skills]

What interested me most with this was Can clearly telling both Henderson and Sturridge to come back and celebrate properly. Can will be our captain.

Another thing Rodgers said Gerrard should have taken it, as he is the pelanty taker

This is just people making a Balotelli out of a mole hill

[dww]

Gerrard asserting the premacy of the captain role and supporting his successor makes him a prick and a c*nt, oh and Henderson is a cock too basically just for being the captain? **** me I think I've woken up in a parallel dimension

The whole controversy is madness. In the context of the full quote it doesn't even come off as Gerrard thinking it is particularly bad.

I always find it strange when currently active players do commentary/analysis. It seems they are on a hiding to nothing. They either offer insight less blandness or say what they think feel and watch it magnified out of all proportion by the press.

I think Henderson handled the situation well in the post match interviews.

[Norbs]

The argument was that it was on paper that Sturridge should take it, nothing to do with Henderson being first choice. Sturridge wasn't standing up for Henderson, he was looking out for number 1. The choice for Balotelli to step us was the right one but it's understandable that Sturridge got the hump.

I reckon penalty taking orders were drafted with only the starting line up in mind. Shoddy planning