The striker scored from the penalty to win the game for team and give an advantage to take to Istanbul
Liverpool's Mario Balotelli (front) celebrates after scoring the penalty during the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 32 match against Besiktas at Anfield in Liverpool on Thursday. Liverpool won 1-0 (Photo: AFP)
Paris : A late Mario Balotelli penalty gave Liverpool a 1-0 win against Turkish league leaders Besiktas at Anfield on Thursday, while Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1 with Fiorentina at White Hart Lane, meaning they must now score in the return in Florence next week. Liverpool won 8-0 the last time they entertained Besiktas in the Champions League in 2007, but on this occasion they needed Balotelli to score an 85th-minute penalty to win the game at Anfield and give them an advantage to take to Istanbul.
And Balotelli only scored after an apparent disagreement with Jordan Henderson, the captain on the night, and Daniel Sturridge over who would take the penalty. In the other game, Celtic’s rematch with Inter Milan ended in a memorable 3-3 draw in Glasgow in the first leg of the Europa League round of 32 as Romelu Lukaku inspired Everton to a big win.
Celtic will also be up against it in Italy but they have given themselves a chance after coming from 2-0 and then 3-2 down to hold Inter in a repeat of the 1967 European Cup final.
John Guidetti was the hero for Celtic on the night, coming off the bench to volley home a stoppage time equaliser against Roberto Mancini’s side. Before that, Celtic’s evening had started in nightmare fashion, with Xherdan Shaqiri and Rodrigo Palacio putting Inter 2-0 up inside 13 minutes. Stuart Armstrong, making his home debut for Celtic following his January move from Dundee United, got one back and forced the own-goal.
( Source : AFP )
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