Liverpool vs. Manchester United: Winners and Losers from Premier League
ANFIELD, England — Manchester United held on for the three points against 10-man Liverpool, winning 2-1 at Anfield on Sunday.
Two goals from Juan Mata—one in each half and either side of Steven Gerrard's dismissal just 40 seconds after coming on at half-time—proved enough for Louis van Gaal's side, which is now five points ahead in the race for a top-four finish.
Daniel Sturridge's late goal proved to be only a consolation as Liverpool tried valiantly to get something from the game. A late missed penalty by Wayne Rooney and a post-match scuffle between Martin Skrtel and David de Gea added to the action from a fiery afternoon on Merseyside.
Here are the winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Juan Mata
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Let's begin with the obvious.
Juan Mata, keeping his place in the United side ahead of Angel Di Maria, was the match-winner with two excellent goals.
His first arrived after just 14 minutes, finding space behind Liverpool's left wing-back Alberto Moreno to finish coolly past Simon Mignolet at the Kop end.
His second was even more impressive, a bicycle kick at the Anfield Road end just before the hour mark. Mata struck the ball perfectly back across Mignolet and into the opposite bottom corner.
Loser: Steven Gerrard
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Another obvious one, but for completely opposite reasons.
Steven Gerrard's half-time introduction was short. He was dismissed just 48 seconds after coming on for Liverpool in what will be his final appearance against Manchester United.
The emotion and desire to lead his side perhaps got the better of the captain, and his overeagerness resulted in a blatant stamp on Ander Herrera for which Martin Atkinson gave him a straight red.
Winner: Louis Van Gaal
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There was always going to be one manager who left Anfield as the favourite to lead his side into the Champions League places come the end of the season.
This win puts United firmly in the box seat, now five points ahead of Liverpool and with a superior goal difference.
With Liverpool travelling to Arsenal next weekend, that gap could be even bigger should the Reds fail to beat another top-four contender.
Loser: Alberto Moreno
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Moreno's debut season at Anfield has been an up-and-down one. He struggled here in the heat of battle.
The Spaniard was exposed for Mata's opening goal, caught ahead of his compatriot and leaving him the space to get in behind and finish past Mignolet.
Moreno looked unsettled throughout and was finally subbed with 24 minutes remaining.
Winner: Ander Herrera
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Ander Herrera hasn't always been in favour with Van Gaal, but he's been in the side of late and has impressed in centre-midfield when it mattered.
He and Michael Carrick controlled the game against Liverpool, particularly in the opening half-hour.
It was Herrera's excellent through ball that put Mata in for the crucial opening goal.
Loser: Adam Lallana
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Brendan Rodgers' use of Adam Lallana as one of Liverpool's two attacking midfielders—opting for him over Raheem Sterling and pushing Sterling out wide instead—has been baffling many supporters of late.
Lallana wasn't at the races Sunday. He missed Liverpool's best chance of the first half, placing wide after Jordan Henderson's superb cross was set for him by Sturridge.
Rodgers replaced Lallana with Gerrard at half-time. The manager must look at dropping the former Southampton man and moving Sterling into a more central role again so he can influence play better.
