Coming out from that match against FC Basel with a solid 1-0 lead going into the 2nd leg, Liverpool fans should have been cherishing the moment, however, call it a bad omen, all the talks that should have been directed towards the pros and cons of match was shifted towards the penalty row.
Ironically though, that penalty handed them the win but the debate currently undergoing isn’t about the outcome, it is more concerned towards the mechanism that led to the outcome.
Having been pressurized by the entire footballing world of late, a player of the caliber of Mario Balotelli would have pounced upon a chance of scoring the winner. Since the memory of that winner against Tottenham was fresh, Balotelli was feeling the sense of importance he would get if a similar fate awaits him against Basel.
Henderson showed responsibility
However, having said that, this behavior might seem more understanding on a flat gavel street rather than on the pitch of Anfield. Had Jordan Henderson showed the same robustness as his Italian mate, the matter would have become more comical.
But call it his sense of understanding or the weight of captaincy on his shoulders, Henderson handled the situation in a much better way than any of his team-mates that were a yard close to Balotelli in the penalty area.
It could have been avoided
Still, making the back calculations in this case to solve the mystery that evolved into that row, question is why Balotelli wasn’t the first option to take a penalty. Having taken 17 penalties in his entire career, 15 of whom are goals, any team in the World would love Mario Balotelli on their side when a penalty is awarded.
As Mario Balotelli didn’t started the match from the offset, it might have been decided by Brendan Rodgers that the responsibility of taking a penalty automatically goes to Jordan Henderson. But, questioning the logic behind the decision of the Irishman, Henderson – even though he has evolved – has never been a natural penalty taker.
In all of his career till date, Henderson has never taken a penalty in a competitive match. The only penalty that the Englishman has managed in his entire career was in a shootout in 2009. Thus, patting him on the back when Balotelli is also on the pitch, seems an unclear matter.
Steven Gerrard epitomized the incident
Wrong place at the wrong time. The anecdote offered by Steven Gerrard after the match took the incident to an even higher level. Being a Liverpool captain himself, Gerrard, knowing the tradition of the Liverpool football club, offered a statement that would or probably, should have been avoided.
‘’Balotelli has disrespected Henderson’’. These were the words of claim made by Steven Gerrard that has epitomized the incident. With all due respect to Jordan Henderson and even though he has evolved brilliantly in the last 12 months, the Englishman is still a way short to be ‘’disrespected’’ by his team-mate as claimed by his hero Gerrard.
At the time of 24*7 news, this incident would have made it to the public anyway, with or without Gerrard’s comments. However, like a spark ignites the fuel, similar has been the effect caused by the statement of Mr. Liverpool.
Thus in an incident where Brendan Rodgers tried to play it down, Jordan Henderson plays it down, and the ‘CULPRIT’ Balotelli himself tries to play it down, Steven Gerrard – like he has done in his whole career scoring screamers – came out of nowhere to stir the already turbulent waters.
Conclusion
Even though Brendan Rodgers has evolved as a manager since taking over from Kenny Dalglish, Thursday’s event enshrined that the Irishman still has a lot to learn. Talking about the Plan B that was implanted by Rodgers – and which has reaped benefits for Liverpool – the manager should keep the same approach in his tactics going into every match.
Mario Balotelli penalty row - - - - Naming the ''Culprits'' and how it could have been avoided!
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