Rodgers: There's no issue with penalties

Liverpool beat Besiktas 1-0 in the Europa League last 32, first-leg clash at Anfield on Thursday night after being awarded a late spot kick, which was successfully converted by Mario Balotelli.

Addressing the media in his pre-Southampton press conference, Rodgers explained how Jordan Henderson had been nominated as the designated taker prior to kick off.

However, the manager outlined the rationale behind a decision being made for Balotelli to take the 85th minute strike, while also reaffirming Steven Gerrard's position as the Reds' first-choice when it comes to penalty duties.

Rodgers said: "There's probably been a lot more of a drama made out of it than what it actually was.

"We scored the penalty and it's very clear who our penalty takers are in the team. Obviously when Steven plays, he's normally our No.1 penalty taker.

"With the players that were initially on the pitch last night, Jordan was our nominated penalty taker.

"If Jordan, Steven and Mario are on the pitch at the same time, we'd normally have Steven or Mario as the penalty taker. It just varies and really is with the player who is responsible for the penalty.

"Jordan Henderson showed last night what a team player he is. He respected Mario's position and that he is an outstanding penalty taker, and he was happy to give him the penalty to take it. Mario had the composure and calmness to finish it.

"We got the penalty and won the game."

Rodgers added: "We've got a whole raft of penalty takers here that are outstanding. Rickie Lambert has hardly missed a penalty in his entire career, so if he is on the pitch then there is another penalty taker.

"If you're the vice-captain and the captain is on the bench, but he comes on, it is the etiquette to go and then give him the armband. It's a similar thing with a penalty - if Steven is on the field, there is no drama as he takes the penalty. He is the first-choice penalty taker.

"After that, if Mario is on the field, he takes the penalty. His history shows he's scored nearly 30 penalties in big games, so he is an outstanding penalty taker. At the time when neither of them were on, Jordan was the nominated taker.

"Then Mario was on the field, [it was a] pressure situation, [and] Jordan was happy enough to take it, but he gave it to Mario, who gets his goal and there is no drama."

On the subject of Henderson, Rodgers was keen to highlight the leadership qualities the 24-year-old has demonstrated since being appointed as the club's vice-captain earlier in the campaign.

With Gerrard set to depart Anfield in the summer for LA Galaxy, the midfielder is many people's tip to take over the armband on a full-time basis.

However, should that prove to be the case, Rodgers is eager for there to be no comparisons drawn between the current captain's style and that of his potential successor.

"You have to go steady with Jordan - I think everyone is trying to catapult him into [being] the next Steven Gerrard, and he's not that," he said. "I've said it many times, he's not that type of player.

"Jordan is a real honest boy who is a hard-working player. A great team player who is tireless in his running, his ability and gives his all for the team. Steven is a totally different player.

"He is still young and, as I said, it is not automatic that he's going to be the next captain. At this moment in time, when Steven doesn't play, he is the vice-captain and he is working that role very well.

"It's a very, very important role because of the responsibilities you have at this club, particularly off the field as well. It's a huge role, but Jordan has fitted into it this season very, very well and he's got a great role model in Steven."