Sadio Mane the hero and villain as Liverpool pay penalty

Sadio Mane was the pivotal character as he said farewell to Liverpool in a game that damaged their chances of overhauling Chelsea in the second half of the Premier League season.

The Senegal international, heading for the African Cup of Nations, scored the goal that gave Jurgen Klopp’s team a 2-1 lead with only 18 minutes remaining against the strugglers of Sunderland. It should have been sufficient to guarantee a victory.

But Mane foolishly handled inside the area to present Jermain Defoe with his second opportunity to score a penalty in the 84th minute and earn Sunderland a point in their battle against relegation.