Topics: English Premier League, Manchester City, Liverpool, Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez has been bashed massively for squandering a penalty kick which could have propelled his team to secure top spot in the Premier League once again.

Manchester City failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity to seal all three points against Liverpool in Sunday's epic showdown. With Chelsea assuming top spot following their 3-0 win over Southampton earlier, the Citizens needed a win at Anfield to regain the lead.

The clash, however, failed to reinforce the hype around the attacking styles of both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp's men. With the first shot on target in the entire proceeding coming off the boot of Riyad Mahrez in the 63rd minute, the staleness upfront needed no further address.

Nonetheless, the Algerian playmaker had a glorious opportunity to become the hero of the day having been utilized as a periphery in the Citizen's set-up following his arrival this summer. With just four minutes to the 90th-minute mark, the 27-year-old winger was handed the mantle to take the spot-kick after Leroy Sane was brought down in the penalty area by Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk.

To the dismay of onlookers, the former Leicester City man hit his target well wide off target while the match subsequently ended in a 0-0 draw. Here are the reactions and assessments of some fans following Mahrez's mishap:

Before Mahrez made a mess of the spot-kick, Gabriel Jesus appeared to have been the one up for the task but was denied the honor after Guardiola signalled the former to do so. Following the end of the match, the Spanish manager apologized to the Brazilian forward and explained why he asked Mahrez to step up for the kick. He said: "Yeah [Gabriel] wanted it, I apologise.

"During the training sessions, I see [Mahrez] every time taking penalties and it gives me a lot of confidence. It will be a good experience for him, next time it will go in."