Honest punditry, questionable captaincy
Liverpool got the job done tonight at Anfield as a late Mario Balotelli penalty was enough for Brendan Rodgers’ men to take a first-leg lead against Besiktas.
Reds skipper Steven Gerrard was absent from the match though due to a recent hamstring injury but he was watching on from Anfield as part of ITV’s panel.
Liverpool got the win but it seems that Gerrard took umbrage with the fact that Mario Balotelli took the penalty-taking decision away from the stand-in-captain Jordan Henderson.
Fair play to Gerrard for his unflinching honesty but we wonder if Brendan Rodgers had wished that his captain just remained silent on the issue or fluffed another answer.
Did he sandbag Balotelli, exercise his leadership in the dressing room or give a clear indication that he’s already thinking about visiting Disneyland with Robbie Keane in LA?
Gerrard on ITV: pic.twitter.com/cYAGX0h8WT
— Anfield Gank (@LFCAnfieldID) February 19, 2015
Gerrard calling out Balotelli live on ITV is one of the funniest things I’ve seen for a very long time.
— Thomas Coxhead (@iamcoxhead) February 19, 2015
LIVE PICTURE: Gerrard from the ITV studio #LFC pic.twitter.com/JhN1aUiZj2
— Brodinho (@Brodinho) February 19, 2015
Gerrard making comments on ITV throwing Balotelli under the bus, nice one Stevie.
— Tolo Koure (@LFCRelated) February 19, 2015
ITV get their money’s worth from Gerrard who has not pulled any punches on what he sees as “disrespect” shown by Balotelli on the penalty.
— Darren Lewis (@MirrorDarren) February 19, 2015
Dunno why Gerrard isnt dimming it down on itv too. Meant to protect all your players as club captain?
— ㅤ (@ynwagram) February 19, 2015
Gerrard giving ITV Sport some great insight but Balotelli is best penalty taker in the world, isn’t he?
— Oliver Brett (@sport_oliver) February 19, 2015
@Shayzzee Not a great comment by Gerrard on ITV. Should say nothing
— Paul Warnock (@pwarnock78) February 19, 2015
Well Gerrard well and truly threw Balotelli under the bus there. Good to see a player speaking his mind #LFC pic.twitter.com/AFw4Jrwjq4
— Kevin Palmer (@kpsundayworld) February 19, 2015
Script for Steven Gerrard for future use: "Just one of those things. It'll be sorted out behind closed doors. Important thing is the result"
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) February 19, 2015
Wait…Steven Gerrard said something interesting…probably just sealed himself a Thierry Henry style contract at Sky upon retirement.
— Nathan Murphy (@nathanmurf) February 19, 2015
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
