Liverpool vs Manchester United Match Report

Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United – Report

LIVERPOOL (3-4-3): Mignolet 6.5; Can 6, Skrtel 6, Sakho 6.5; Sterling 5, Henderson 6.5, Allen 5, Moreno 5 (Balotelli 66mins, 4); Lallana 5 (Gerrard 45, 1), Coutinho 7, Sturridge 6.5

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-3): De Gea 6.5; Valencia 6.5, Jones 6, Smalling 6.5, Blind 7 (Rojo 94); Carrick 6.5, Herrera 7 (Falcao 83, 6.5), Fellaini 7; Mata 8, Young 5.5 (Di Maria 55, 7), Rooney 6

Manchester United completed a league double over their arch rivals by blowing them away spectacularly at Anfield as Juan Mata’s splendid brace strengthens United’s stranglehold on their top four dreams. Steven Gerrard saw red in just 45 seconds as he was sent off for a vicious stamp on Ander Herrera in opening moments of the second half.

The home side was touted as firm favorites as they were the in-form team but Louis van Gaal’s boys took the game to their opponents as they too asserted themselves after blowing away Spurs just a week ago. The visitors bossed around the field from the word go and were in total control since then. Their domination finally paid off as a splendid move by the midfield trio of Fellaini, Herrera and Mata sliced open the Liverpool’s back three.

Ander Herrera’s well timed through ball and Juan Mata’s splendid finish gave United lead on the enemy territory. Liverpool meanwhile struggled for the majority of the first half and had a glorious chance to draw level but Adam Lallana missed a sitter from 10 yards out as United entered into the first half with a 1-0 lead.

The second half began acrimoniously for the home side as the rejoiced on seeing their hero Steven Gerrard on the field as he came on as a substitute for the injured Lallana. But the Kop legend failed to make any impact as he was sent for an early bath after he maliciously stamped of Man United’s Ander Herrera. It was a blink and a miss moment but ref’s assistant got it spot on.

Juan Mata once again came to the fore as he scored the winner and his second with a delightful scissor kick. Angel Di Maria’s lob and Mata’s finish killed the game. Liverpool pulled one back through Daniel Sturridge but they never threatened David De Gea’s post since then. Wayne Rooney missed a penalty in the dying seconds of the game but it did no harm to the visiting side as the game was already in the bag.