LIVERPOOL: Steven Gerrard’s last game against Manchester United ended with an ignominious red card as Juan Mata’s superb double condemned Liverpool to a 2-1 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.
In his final appearance against his club’s eternal foes before leaving for the Los Angeles Galaxy, Liverpool captain Gerrard came on at half-time, only to be sent off after 43 seconds for a crude stamp on Ander Herrera, who had created Mata’s 14th-minute opener.
Mata added a glorious, volleyed second goal and despite Daniel Sturridge’s reply and Wayne Rooney seeing a late penalty saved, United held on to condemn Liverpool to a first league defeat since their 3-0 loss at Old Trafford in December’s reverse fixture.
Liverpool’s run of 13 games without defeat had given them an opportunity to knock United out of the Champions League places, but instead Louis van Gaal’s side remain fourth, a healthy five points above their rivals with eight games of the season remaining.
Gerrard’s moment of madness proved the game’s major talking point, but there was no disguising United’s superiority as they confirmed the return to form sparked by last weekend’s 3-0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur.
After a fourth consecutive league win — and only a second success at Anfield in eight visits — United will now anticipate forthcoming games against Aston Villa, Manchester City and Chelsea with something approaching the confidence of old.
Brendan Rodgers’s Liverpool players, meanwhile, head into the international break hoping to find a second wind when they return.
Gerrard sorry for red card
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard issued a frank apology on Sunday after being sent off during his side’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at home
“I don’t know what caused it. I don’t know. Probably just a reaction to the initial tackle,” Gerrard told Sky Sports. “I shouldn’t say more about it, really. I’ve just come out here to apologies to the dressing room and supporters. (Agencies)
