Liverpool could have put the game to bed before Everton’s equaliser.
Liverpool conceded a late penalty against Everton to allow the Toffees a point in Sunday’s Merseyside derby.
Dejan Lovren was judged to have fouled Dominic Calvert-Lewin inside the box, and Wayne Rooney stepped up to score a penalty and tie the game a 1-1.
Lovren was predictably slated on social media for costing his side points, while Jurgen Klopp raged at the referee for his call.
But if the blame game is being played from Liverpool’s side, then the ire should be focused in the direction of forward Sadio Mane.
Mane blew a golden chance for the Reds which would have put the game beyond doubt, after a selfish and wasteful effort when through on goal.
It came in the first half with Liverpool 1-0 up after Mohamed Salah’s strike, when Mane ran towards goal with teammates in acres of space.
The obvious play for Mane was to square the ball to one of Dominic Solanke or Mohamed Salah, who would both have had tap ins.
Mane shot, screwing the ball wide, and it proved to be the biggest chance of the whole game.
It would have put Liverpool 2-0 up before half-time, and left Everton in an even worse position. A late penalty call against them would not have mattered.
It’s easy to blame Lovren, but Mane is the player who really should be hanging his head at costing his side three points.
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