Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp left both Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville stunned by substituting Sadio Mane against Manchester City.
Liverpool headed away to City on Sunday afternoon in a game billed by many as a Premier League title decider.
City made a hot start with Kevin De Bruyne’s early goal, only for Diogo Jota to level it up for Liverpool.
Gabriel Jesus put City back in front only for Liverpool to come back again with Mane firing an equaliser within seconds of the restart.
Neither side could find a winner, meaning they share the spoils and the title race is as it was; Liverpool just one point behind City.
Liverpool will still have real belief of claiming the title and their attacking rotation will be key to any chances of clinching top spot.
With Mane, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino all in contention, Liverpool have envious attacking options.
Mane got the nod down the left flank against City but actually turned in a disappointing performance in the first half, failing to get much out of Kyle Walker.
Walker switched off moments into the second half though and Mane took full advantage, firing past Ederson in style.
Mane was then a player reborn, posing a real threat to the City back line before being substituted for Roberto Firmino late on.
That decision absolutely baffled both Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville, who were covering the game for Sky Sports.
Speaking as Mane left the pitch on 83 minutes, Carragher felt that Mane was ‘outstanding in the second half’ and was ‘surprised’ to see Klopp hook him.
Neville agreed, claiming that Mane was been ‘perfect’ in the second half, holding the ball up brilliantly.
“Firmino has done really well coming off the bench, you think of that Arsenal game, but I think Sadio Mane’s second half, he’s looked like a different player,” said Carragher. “He’s been outstanding in the second half, I’m surprised to see him come off.”
“I am. He’s been holding it up well, apart from that last time where we he got caught, he’s been perfect in the second half,” added Neville.
The decision didn’t cost Liverpool the game, but Carragher and Neville seemingly felt Mane could have helped grab a late win.
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