Manchester United vs. Liverpool 2015: Final score 2-1, Steven Gerrard red card sinks his side

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.

Goals: Sturridge (69’)

Goals: Mata (14’, 59’)