Sunderland’s Defoe frustrates Liverpool

Reuters: Liverpool squandered a chance to exert some pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea as Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe converted two penalties to earn the Premier League strugglers a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light on Monday.

Sadio Mane’s goal looked to have earned Liverpool a win that would have moved them within three points of Chelsea but the forward later handled the ball in the area to give in-form striker Defoe the chance to salvage a draw for his side.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp was left to rue two dropped points as his side’s four-match winning run came to a halt.

“I must be honest, it doesn’t feel good. It’s not because of the point. It’s because of two penalties in the game. That was harsh and really hard to accept,” Klopp said.

Daniel Sturridge’s flicked header gave second-placed Liverpool a 19th-minute lead but Defoe levelled six minutes later after Ragnar Klavan tripped Didier Ndong.

Mane’s close-range finish put Liverpool back in front but he was penalised for handball six minutes from time and Defoe kept his cool to dispatch another penalty and take his league goal tally to 11 out of third-bottom Sunderland’s 19 this season.