A couple of days on from an important win over Manchester City at Anfield, Liverpool started their 2017 with a disappointing draw away at struggling Sunderland.
Jürgen Klopp’s side took the lead twice at the Stadium of Light – through Daniel Sturridge in the first half and Sadio Mané in the second – but were pegged back on both occasions by penalties from Jermaine Defoe.
The second penalty, which came as a result of a handball from Mané, was tucked away with just five minutes to play.
Clearly, a late equaliser was a bitter pill to swallow for many of Liverpool supporters, and some of them were quick to point the finger at referee Anthony Taylor at the full time whistle.
Manchester-born Taylor had refereed Liverpool’s meeting with Manchester United in October, with his appointment to that particular fixture generating plenty of headlines in the run in to the game. Although that match passed by without any major refereeing controversies, his decision to award the two spot kicks to Sunderland prompted many Liverpool to vent their frustration at him.
Dear Anthony Taylor, what foul were you imagining to award that free kick which directly led to a penalty? Manc bastard
— Harry Numero Seis (@LifeOnMahers) January 2, 2017
That referee Anthony Taylor is a joke!!! Always has shockers when in charge of Liverpool games. He ain't a good ref at best of times
— Crypto PJ (@inabigbigway) January 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/JamieMcCallum22/status/815961934508032000
https://twitter.com/Lfc7R/status/815967666221498368
https://twitter.com/GoalDenDay/status/815967133775646720
#SUNLIV never a free kick before the penalty in the first place. Anthony 'I hate Liverpool' Taylor strikes again
— Richard Socks 💙 (@SocksyBeast) January 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/BoltonJames321/status/815961836080300033
First penalty was beyond soft. Second was never a free kick in the 1st place. FT @StadiumofLight Anthony Taylor 2-2 Liverpool #PremierLeague
— John Ryan (@johnryan89) January 2, 2017
The result means Liverpool have only closed the gap on Chelsea to five points, with Antionio Conte’s men playing against Tottenham on Wednesday.
Their next Premier League match sees them travel down the East Lancs Road to face old rivals United at Old Trafford. We doubt that Taylor will be the man in the middle that day.
