Riyad Mahrez missed a golden chance to give Manchester City a decisive late lead against Liverpool at Anfield Sunday, sending the 86th-minute penalty well over Alisson Becker's goal in an otherwise monotonous 0-0 draw.
Mahrez stepped up to the spot after Reds center-back Virgil van Dijk was adjudged to have illegally brought down winger Leroy Sane, who replaced Raheem Sterling for City 10 minutes prior. Mahrez, however, couldn't keep his spot-kick below the bar, throwing away the best chance of either side to break the stalemate in a match that contained just four combined shots on target.
Both sides traded opportunities in a frenetic opening quarter hour that suggested the heavyweight clash would live up to the accompanying hype. The rest of the match was a stark contrast, however, with the first shot on target registering at the 62nd minute courtesy of a right-footed strike by Mahrez.
While Jurgen Klopp's side have yet to concede a goal at home this season, the Reds have simultaneously struggled to find the net recently, scoring just twice in their last four matches across all competitions. They also had the drawback of losing stalwart James Milner to injury, with the 32-year-old having to make way for Naby Keita after just 29 minutes.
The draw now leaves City, Liverpool, and Chelsea all joint top the Premier League table on 20 points after the Blues dispatched Southampton earlier in the day. Pep Guardiola's men, however, sit de facto top courtesy of their superior goal differential.
