Brendan Rodgers has praised Jordan Henderson for being a "team player" by letting Mario Balotelli take a penalty in the Europa League.
The midfielder was the team's nominated penalty-taker for the evening, but Balotelli stepped up to take it instead, handing Liverpool a 1-0 win.
The manager also revealed that Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva and Jose Enrique all remain sidelined for this weekend's match against Southampton.
Read what else the manager discussed below.
Good afternoon! Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will shortly be looking ahead to his side's match against Southampton in the Premier League this Sunday.
This press conference comes less than a day after his side's win over Besiktas in the Europa League. That match saw controversy as Mario Balotelli overruled captain Jordan Henderson to take the penalty. The manager will surely face further questions about that incident.
A number of the club's summer signings came in from Southampton, including Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren, so they will be returning to their former home for the first time since making the move to Anfield. Liverpool are unbeaten in nine Premier League matches heading into this fixture, but face a side currently sitting in the Champions League places.
Liverpool's recent upturn in form has coincided with Simon Mignolet's return to form between the posts. The goalkeeper was in a positive mood heading into training this morning:
Always nice, to get to the training in the morning on the back of a good result! #keepgoing #YNWA pic.twitter.com/sMceFydw4K
— Simon Mignolet (@SMignolet) February 20, 2015
Liverpool have a difficult month ahead of them. As well as matches in the Europa League and FA Cup coming up, the Reds will host champions Manchester City in the Premier League weekend, before facing Burnley, Swansea City and Manchester United.
Don't forget, live coverage of this match begins with Sport Mole an hour before kickoff, and we'll also have team news, half-time and full-time reports plus loads of post-match reaction, so make sure you're with us on Sunday.
As well as surely facing more questions about Balotelli, Rodgers should provide an update on his squad's fitness, with Raheem Sterling potentially close to a return, although captain Steven Gerrard is still expected to be out for another couple of weeks.
Right then, the manager is ready to speak, so let's see what he has to say...
Naturally, it's the penalty incident that comes up first, and Rodgers insists: "There's been more drama made out of it than it was. When Steven [Gerrard] plays he's number one penalty taker. Jordan was nominated penalty taker. Jordan showed last night what a team player he was by letting Mario take it. Young Jordan showed his maturity. I didn't like the etiquette, but we got the result."
Rodgers believes that the team's run of late goals shows their determination: "We have scored 18 goals now in the last 15 minutes of games this season. That shows the drive and energy in the team."
Attention turns to this weekend's opponents, and Rodgers tells reporters: "We respect Southampton and what they've done this season, but we know we have the quality and confidence to get a result there. We will see the best of this team next season. Come the summer, we will be ready to challenge."
Rodgers reveals that Steven Gerrard will miss the match, along with Brad Jones, Jose Enrique, Jon Flanagan and Lucas Leiva.
Rodgers insists that there is no pressure on Henderson to replace Steven Gerrard: "You have to go stead with Henderson. Everyone is trying to catapult him into being the next Gerrard."
Following last night's match, Rodgers is once again full of praise for emerging star Jordon Ibe: "He's a real genuine player who excites you."
That's all from Rodgers for now, so make sure you join us again on Sunday to see if Liverpool can make it 10 matches without a defeat in the Premier League. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.
