Joey Barton has claimed that the controversial Liverpool striker was right to take last night’s penalty
Mario Balotelli has received plenty of criticism for his insistence on taking Liverpool’s penalty during Thursday night’s Europa League victory against Besiktas, but he has found support from an unlikely source.
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The Italian striker appeared to ignore the protests of both captain for the game, Jordan Henderson, and strike partner Daniel Sturridge, before converting the spot-kick which decided the first leg.
Following the game, Balotelli was criticised for his actions, but QPR midfielder Joey Barton has taken to Twitter to defend the Reds’ £16m man.
Can’t believe people getting on Balotelli. He is technically better at penalties than Henderson. He pulled rank. Scored. End of.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
Barton was surprised with the reaction of Liverpool’s usual captain Steven Gerrard, who described Balotelli’s actions as disrespectful.
Surprised Gerrard allowed himself to be drawn into the anti-Balotelli brigade’s crusade. He’s better than that. — Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
The Rs star then surprisingly launched a scathing attack on Henderson, firstly suggesting that he should never have been in contention to take the penalty and that he could never replace Gerrard at Liverpool.
Contrary to some people beliefs Jordan Henderson will not now or will he ever be even in the same stratosphere as Steven Gerrard.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
Someone somewhere trying to make Henderson, heir to Gerrard’s throne. It will end in tears. He isn’t and will never be capable.Not many are — Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015