A stunning sending off for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard handicapped his side's comeback chase against Manchester United.
Manchester United are five points clear of rivals Liverpool in the race for top four, thanks to a 2-1 win on Sunday. The Red Devils were helped to victory by a stunning red card to Steven Gerrard, who was sent off for a stamp on Ander Herrera just 48 seconds after coming into the game as a substitute.
From the start, Liverpool had some trouble taking control of the game, and the Anfield crowd was silenced just 14 minutes in by a brilliant United goal. Herrera set it up with a perfect through ball down the right channel to Juan Mata, who composed himself and placed a classy finish inside the far post from 12 yards away.
United got predictably conservative after that, and did a good job of keeping the ball as a means of defending throughout the rest of the first half. Liverpool had a nice little flurry just before the break, but all of their shot attempts were blocked before they even got to David De Gea.
Sensing his team needed a bit of creative drive and an emotional boost, Brendan Rodgers turned to Gerrard, who replaced Lallana. It took him a mere minute to get sent off, and from there Liverpool had a difficult task ahead of them.
As good as Mata's first goal was, his second was even better, and might be a goal of the season candidate in England. Angel Di Maria's pass to Mata was a bit behind him, but the Spaniard adjusted beautifully, contorting his body to get around the ball and hit a perfect scissor kick volley past Simon Mignolet.
United should have won the match comfortably after that, but gave a goal back 10 minutes later. Off the back of a turnover by Michael Carrick and a great run by Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho found Daniel Sturridge in the box, though his pass got a bit of help from a deflection. But there was no luck in the finish by Sturridge, who powered a stunning shot past De Gea from a narrow angle.
From then on, Liverpool looked a bit more like the team that were up a man, but they couldn't turn their heavy possession into an equalizing goal. In stoppage time, Emre Can took down Daley Blind and referee Martin Atkinson gave a penalty. Wayne Rooney stepped up and had his well saved by Mignolet, though it ultimately made no difference.
Liverpool : Mignolet, Sahko, Skrtel, Can, Moreno (Balotelli 66'), Allen, Henderson, Lallana (Gerrard 46'; red 46'), Coutinho, Sturridge, Sterling
Goals: Sturridge (69')
Manchester United : De Gea, Blind (Rojo 90'), Jones, Smalling, Valencia, Young (Di Maria 55'), Carrick, Herrera (Falcao 83'), Mata, Fellaini, Rooney
Goals: Mata (14', 59')
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