Bilic criticises referee following Liverpool defeat [divider]

Beşiktaş manager Slaven Bilic criticised referee Szymon Marciniakf ollowing the 1-0 loss against Liverpool in the Europa League Round of 32 first-leg.

Bilic revealed that he thought Mario Balotelli should have been penalised for a high foot moments before the incident that led to the penalty.

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“Balotelli raised his foot high before the penalty, it should have been a faul,” Bilic told Turkish-football.com reporters at the post match press-conference after the game.

Bilic underlined that his side did defend well for much of the game.

“We were strong defensively and well organised, we prevented Liverpool getting into 2 v 1 positions for much of the game,” he added.

The former Croatian national team manager believes that his side still have a good chance at progressing to the next stages of the Europa League.

“We defended well as a team and made it difficult for Liverpool, if we put on a similar performance at home we have a good chance,” Bilic said.

Beşiktaş did beat Liverpool 2-1 the last time the two sides met in Istanbul.

The last meeting in Turkey between the two sides went ahead at the Inönü stadium. This time around the game will be played at the Atatürk Olympic stadium where Liverpool won the 2004-05 Champions League.

The return-leg will be played on Thursday 26 February, the Reds go into the game with a 1-0 advantage.