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21.02.2015 Football News

Expensive Penalty Taker Gives Liverpool 1-0 Advantage

By James K. Attaglo Wilson/sports24gh.com
Expensive Penalty Taker Gives Liverpool 1-0 Advantage
21.02.2015 LISTEN

Mario Balotelli came off the bench to score his 27th penalty kick of his career to give Liverpool a narrow Europa League win over Turkish side Besiktas at Anfield on Thursday.

The Reds were awarded the penalty in the 85th minute after young right fullback Jordan Ibe was fouled in the box by Ramon Motta.

There was a little bit of misunderstanding between Balotelli and captain, Jordan Henderson over who should take the spot but at the end it was the Ghanaian born Italian who stepped forward to score his 27 out of 29 penalties in his professional football.

Despite having a good record over the Turkish giant going into the game, especially haven't thrashed Besiktas 8-0 at Anfield the last time the two sides met in a competitive European fixture in November 2007, Slaven Bilic's side proved a mouthful for the Reds.

Former Chelsea striker whose goal last year deflated Liverpool's title hopes nearly gave Besiktas the lead late in the first half, but Belgian goalie, Simon Mignolet pulled a magnificent save as he punched the ball over the line for a corner kick.

Brendan Roger's side enjoyed much of the possession but they had to dig very deep into the sack to get the 1-0 aggregate going into the second leg in Turkey.

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