Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed that he replaced Mario Balotelli at half-time in the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid for tactical reasons and hinted the striker will be punished for swapping shirts with Pepe as he left the field.
Balotelli has struggled to make a mark at Liverpool since his 16 million-pound move from AC Milan in August, scoring just once in the Champions League, and his withdrawal at the break added to a growing list of frustrating performances.
"It was just tactical," Rodgers told Sky Sports when asked to explain his substitution of the Italy international.
"We needed a bit more intensity and a bit more workrate through the middle. We had to occupy their centre-halves a little bit more.
"Adam Lallana came on and did very well. Young Raheem Sterling playing up there, it was difficult for him, but he kept working. It is not a natural position for him, but he played in the false nine role and I thought he was excellent."
Balotelli was seen swapping shirts with Pepe as he headed down the tunnel at the interval, and that disappointed his manager.
"That is the first I have heard of that," he said. "It's something I don't like to see.
"I've seen it happening in other leagues in other countries, but it is something that doesn't happen here. We had a [similar] incident last year with a player and I dealt with it and if that's the case, I'll deal with it again."
Rodgers added during his postmatch news conference: "It is not something I stand for. If you want to do that, you do it at the end of the game. It is something I will deal with tomorrow."
Liverpool were well beaten by the reigning European champions, with the opening goal coming from Cristiano Ronaldo and two more from Karim Benzema ending the match as a contest before half-time.
"In the first 20 minutes of the game, I thought we made an excellent start," Rodgers added. "Once they got their first goal and through to half-time, I think they showed their real quality. I think they were terrific.
"Second half, we are obviously playing for pride and I thought the players were outstanding second half. I thought the players kept going, they didn't stop. They are playing against a top, top quality team.
"We were probably a wee bit unlucky to be 3-0 down at half-time, although we defended poorly on one or two of the goals, but I can't ask any more. You can see from their quality, their speed, you can see why they are the current champions.
"Performance-wise we played reasonably well tonight, but we were punished by a top-class side who scored some quality goals. We will hopefully learn from this and get better."