Balotelli's spot-kick helps Liverpool edge past Besiktas 1-0 in Europa League

Controversial forward Mario Balotelli's late penalty helped Liverpool edge past opponent Besiktas 1-0 in the first-leg of last 32 of the Europa League.

Balotelli, who came off bench to substitute Philippe Coutinho, confidently converted a late penalty in the 85th minute amidst a row with Jordan Henderson over who should take the spot-kick, the BBC reported.

Liverpool will again meet Besiktas in the Europa League second-leg on 26th February.