GERRARD SEES RED AS UNITED MARCH ON

LIVERPOOL   1       MANCHESTER UNITED   2

                                       (Sturridge 69')            (Mata 14' 59')  

Both of these clubs came into the game buoyed after some good recent performances. Liverpool being the most consistent team since the turn of the year and Manchester United with whispers after their good win against Spurs that maybe, at last, they had found their best starting eleven,  interestingly, a starting eleven that did not include the expensively acquired Falcao and Di Maria. For this game United retained the same personnel and shape from  the Spurs game which meant Rooney and Juan Mata were given another chance up front for the Red Devils.    

The first half in this game was very tight, both teams denying the other any space in the attacking third. United had started with a back four but Liverpool continued with a back three and two wing backs.  With the wings backs committed to going forward there can sometimes be space either side of the back three and Manchester United exploited that space for the opening goal of the game after 14 minutes. Herrera picked up the ball just inside the Liverpool half and seeing that Sakho had positioned himself too centrally and Moreno had got caught up field, slotted the ball into the open space for Mata to run onto and he coolly shot past Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.

United were just about value for their lead as they were the more pro-active in their approach to the game. Liverpool were very committed but didn’t create a clear cut chance until the 34^th minute. Jordan Henderson played a lovely long ball over the United defence for Sturridge to chase and he played a precise cut back for the on rushing Adam Lallana who unfortunately for Liverpool connected with his shin and skewed the ball wide.

The first half had been a cagey affair but the second half exploded in the first few minutes. Liverpool fans had warmly greeted the introduction of Steven Gerrard but it would only be a matter of minutes before they were waving him down the tunnel after he had been red carded for kicking out at Herrera. Gerrard had obviously come on with fire in his belly as his first action had been to make Juan Mata aware of his arrival on the pitch. Herrera had sought to get some retribution on Gerrard with a late challenge of his own and Gerrard reacted by kicking out at the United midfielder. Referee Martin Atkinson had little option but to send the Liverpool legend off.

United quickly took advantage of their numerical superiority with their second goal after 58 minutes, and it was a similar goal to the first one. Again Sakho had been dragged in too centrally and Moreno was nowhere in sight when a flighted ball by substitute Di Maria found Mata unmarked. He still had a lot to do as the ball was slightly behind him but Mata adjusted himself and produced a textbook scissors kick to find the far corner of the net past the diving Mignolet.

 Juan Mata celebrates scoring the second goal for Manchester United at Liverpool. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

At this stage, with ten men, it seemed all up for Liverpool but they would not let United have it all their own way. On 69 minutes Coutinho got on the ball at the edge of the box and slipped in Sturridge who still had a lot to do from a tight angle but his shot somehow beat De Gea at his near post.  Liverpool did their best to get the equalizer but United with their extra man were able to contain them. It would be United who would have the best chance to score the next goal.

Wayne Rooney before this game had only scored one goal at Anfield, that goal coming way back in 2005, and when the referee awarded Man Utd a penalty in injury time for Can’s foul on Danny Blind Rooney was not going to give the ball to Mata to try for his hat trick. However, there was no joy for Rooney as Mignolet guessed correctly and was able to push away his effort. The game ended on a sour note with Skrtel leaving his leg in on De Gea when reaching for a ball played through. There very well may be some post match repercussions on that one for the Liverpool defender.

Liverpool will feel deflated after this game. Besides being now 5 points behind fourth placed United the manner of the defeat and the sending off of Gerrard will leave a bad taste in their mouths. Liverpool were never really in the game and with so much riding on the result that will be of disappointment to them. On the other hand, United will be very pleased with another convincing display. Solid at the back, measured in midfield and effective in attack United looked very balanced. With Di Maria back to full fitness again it will be interesting to see Van Gaal’s next team selection. Will he play both Mata and Di Maria as he did in the second half today or will he just opt for one of them?  On current form, Mata is undroppable.