Mario Balotelli ignored Brendan Rodegers’ orders to applaud the fans as Liverpool’s Champions League hopes suffered a huge blow last night.
Rodgers gestured at Balotelli, who had a late effort ruled out as offside, to go over to the supporters but instead he went straight to the tunnel.
This is the second time Balotelli has snubbed Rodgers order to clap for the travelling fans but the Liverpool boss attempted to defuse the situation.
‘Mario worked hard, he knows his job is to create and to get into the area,’ said Rodgers. ‘We are working hard on it. I’m not sure if he went back out to say thanks to the fans as I came straight in.’
Liverpool couldn’t afford to lose to Basle, their next two Champions League fixtures will be against defending champions Real Madrid.
Once again, it was a defensive lapse that cost them dearly last night when they failed to deal with a 52-minute corner, allowing Marco Streller to fire home from close range after keeper Simon Mignolet had pushed out the header.
Balotelli failed to register a touch in the opposition’s half all evening.
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