Middlesbrough boss Steve Agnew rues penalty call that went against his team at Anfield

Middlesbrough boss Steve Agnew thought his team should have been awarded a penalty at a key point of their 3-0 loss at Liverpool.

Goals from Georginio Wijnaldum, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana saw off Middlesbrough on the final day and guided the Reds into the top four for just the second time in the last seven seasons.

A different story may have unfolded at Anfield on Sunday had Boro earned a first-half penalty when Dejan Lovren was caught the wrong side of Patrick Bamford and put his arm on the striker as he tumbled.

Sky Sports pundits Graeme Souness and Gary Neville suggested referee Martin Atkinson had got it wrong when ignoring the visitors' pleas at a time when the game was 0-0, and Agnew agreed.

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"It might have been very different in the first half if we got the penalty - from where I was it looked a penalty," he told Sky Sports.

"For us coming to Liverpool, where we've been well organised and worked hard, it's moments like that they can change the game.

"I know all the work we put in to try and stop Liverpool, who have some top-class players. You wait for moments like that and it went against us. Liverpool have some top players and they can find spaces. When you're 1-0 down it becomes more difficult. To concede as quickly as we did was a disappointment."

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Boro's Premier League tilt was ended after just one season and their bid to return next term will likely occur under a new manager, with Agnew unsure of his future role.

When asked whether he'll be in charge next season, he replied: "I don't know.

"It's not about my situation. It's about making the right decisions for the football club."