Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet holds on to ball for 22 seconds in epic blunder

Posted Friday, November 27, 2015 by Smh.com.au

There has been plenty of speculation surrounding the playing future of Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet - and a bizarre brain snap on Friday morning is not going to help the case for him remaining the Reds' number one.

During the side's Europa League clash with Bordeaux at Anfield, the Belgian custodian gifted French side Bordeaux the lead in truly epic fashion as he clung on to possession for dear life.

After Mignolet had held the ball in his gloves for a whopping 22 seconds, far exceeding the maximum allowance of six seconds, Israeli referee Alon Yefet decided that enough was enough, and awarded the away team an indirect free-kick 14 metres from goal, directly in front.

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet holds on to ball for 22 seconds in epic blunder
All smiles: Jurgen Klopp (right) jokes with Simon Mignolet after the final whistle.

In spite of boos from the Anfield faithful - and Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp's protests from the sideline - the decision stood.

And with beautiful inevitability, Bordeaux and Czech Republic midfielder Jaroslav Plasil tapped the ball sideways to Henri Saivet, who cannoned the ball into the top corner from the resulting set-piece put the Ligue 1 side 1-0 in front.

Liverpool went on to win the tie 2-1 with goals from James Milner and Christian Benteke, thus securing safe passage into the knockout round of the competition.