Gerrard's shame as United beat the Scousers

Making, perhaps, his final appearance against Manchester United, Steven Gerrard was sent off 38 seconds after coming on as a substitute, as the Red Devils, inspired by Juan Mata, took a huge step towards Champions League football with a fantastic 2-1 win at Anfield.

Gerrard was introduced at the interval, but was back off seconds later. He met Mata with a nasty tackle, then an obvious stamp on Ander Herrera saw him dismissed. Unbelievable, reckless behaviour – and a pathetic farewell to these fixtures for the 34-year-old.

By this stage, United had a one-goal lead. Mata and Herrera – the two men that later felt Gerrard’s pathetic wrath – combined and the former Chelsea man broke the deadlock with a composed finish.

Louis van Gaal’s men, superior for the majority of the game, made the man advantage count before the hour mark as Mata completed a fine brace. A breathtakingly good scissor-kick was too much for Mignolet and sent the travelling Red Army into raptures.

A rare moment of weakness from United’s usually unfathomable David de Gea kept the contest alive on 69 minutes with the Spaniard beaten by Daniel Sturridge at his near post, but the Scousers failed to mount late pressure.

Indeed, it was United – and Wayne Rooney – who should have scored the game’s fourth goal. Emre can fouled Daley Blind, referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot but United’s talisman forward couldn’t find the target from twelve yards.

Any win over Liverpool is massive – but the three points hands United a five-point cushion in the Champions League spots, with a return to Europe’s elite competition, after a one-season absence, now very much on the cards for English football’s most successful club.

Well done United.

Full Time – Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United
Attendance – 44,405