Champions League slips from Liverpool's reach as Gerrard self-destructs
Steven Gerrard's instant sending off allowed Man Utd to firm up their grasp on fourth place with a five-point cushion

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Liverpool 1 Manchester United 2. Steven Gerrard was dismissed just 38 seconds after coming on as a half-time substitute in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.
It was inexcusable from the 34-year-old Gerrard, a shocking act for the Reds' captain and a man with over 100 international caps to his name.
Introduced for Adam Lallana with Liverpool trailing the visitors 1-0 at Anfield, Gerrard reacted to a challenge from Ander Herrera by stamping on the Spaniard. Referee Martin Atkinson showed Gerrard red and off he went, and with him went Liverpool's hopes of getting back into the game.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Juan Mata, who had scored United's first goal on 14 minutes, doubled their advantage with a second strike on 59 minutes, and though Daniel Sturridge pulled a goal back for Liverpool on 70 minutes it wasn't enough.
The win – on a weekend when the top three all triumphed – means United consolidate their position in fourth, just two points behind Arsenal, but significantly they are now five clear of Liverpool, who are fifth and in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification.
Gerrard, who now set to miss three games because of his moment of madness, later apologised for his actions, telling reporters: "I need to accept it, the decision was right. I've let down my team-mates and the fans. I take full responsibility."
Asked what had prompted his loss of control, he replied: "I don't know what caused it. Probably just a reaction to the initial tackle [by Herrera]. I shouldn't say more about it really. I've just come out here to apologise to the dressing room and supporters."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers proved himself the master of the understatement when asked what he thought of his captain's indiscretion. "He is a wonderful captain and came on hoping he could influence the game," explained Rodgers, "but that was probably not the way he would have liked it."
It suited United, however, who ended Liverpool's unbeaten league run of 13 games and also extended their winning streak to four. "One of the most important moments in my career," was how United manager Louis van Gaal described the victory, the 63-year-old Dutchman adding: "We are playing like a team more than ever and played very good football in the first half."
And van Gaal singled out Juan Mata for particular praise. That's no surprise considering his brace of goals, including a spectacular scissor-kick for the second. "Juan is one of my better players," he said. "I looked for balance and now I have found a position where he plays very good and he also scores."
It's been a frustrating 15 months for Mata since he arrived at Old Trafford from Chelsea at the start of last year but the Spanish star came good on Sunday with two goals that keep his side in the hunt for a place in next season's Champions League. "I think it's my best game in a United shirt, yes," reflected Mata. "It was important for me. The last few months I've not had the best moment. It is the manager who decides but I'm happy today."
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
Cops 'arrest' Chucky doll
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
'Shocking state of prisons'
Today's Newspapers A round-up of the headlines from the UK front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Ten Things You Need to Know Today: 26 September 2023
The Week’s daily digest of the news agenda, published at 8am
By The Week Staff Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published