1. United finally earned the respect they deserve
Of all the consistent sides in the division, Manchester United are probably the most underrated side. They have one of the best defences in the league in terms of goals conceded, Louis van Gaal’s charges have been in the top four for a while and they continuously find a way to win games.
Part of the reason many downplay their progress from last season is because United spent a lot of money in summer and they brought in one of the most successful managers in the world. That led many to hold high expectations, which was unfair given United’s woes last season.
Even after nine wins in 11 league games, United needed the performance they showed in the first-half in this game and the victory at an in-form side to accentuate the good work they have been doing.
2. Steven Gerrard wanted it too much
Gerrard’s stamp was inexcusable and he was the first to admit that after the game, but most neutrals would feel sympathy for the veteran midfielder because he seemed to be on a mission from the moment he first led the Reds out of the tunnel for the second-half.
Liverpool were poor in the first-half and there were visible signs of positive change in those 38 seconds that Gerrard was on the pitch. He sprayed the ball well, he got the crowd revved up with his hard but fair tackle on Juan Mata, then Ander Herrera gave him one back before the Reds skipper stamped on the Spaniard in retaliation.
All those events took place in those few seconds as the game seemed to revolve around Gerrard. He seemed to have been a bit carried away with the need for that heroic last hurrah against the arch-enemy.
3. It’s still the same Mata
After arguably the best performance of his United career, Mata mentioned that he is still the same player that came to England a few seasons ago. He was Chelsea’s best player for two successive seasons and United paid a hefty fee for him last year, but the playmaker has been among the first to drop out of the sides when all the Galacticos are fit this season.
Mata is a difficult player to keep in the starting XI because he lacks the dynamism to perform in different roles and different systems, which is why David Moyes and now Van Gaal have found it hard to keep him in the side.
However, he is still one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League and he keeps delivering whenever he has been entrusted with a good run of starts like he has recently enjoyed.
4. Both managers made wise decisions in their starting line-ups
Brendan Rodgers’ decision to leave Gerrard out divided opinions and some also wondered if Van Gaal would regret starting with Ashley Young ahead of £59m Angel Di Maria in such a big game. Both decisions were perfectly warranted as both sides functioned much better without those stars and these managers should continue to set their sides up based on performance and suitable tactics.
5. Rodgers should be concerned about his side’s recent performances
Rodgers will be aware that there is still a lot of football to be played and a lot of points to fight. That means while United now have a five-point advantage, the race for Champions League qualification is far from over.
The biggest worry though for Rogers should be his players’ performances. Liverpool have dipped of late, they lacked their usual offensive oomph in the FA Cup against Blackburn, they were outplayed by Swansea in the first-half in a game they needed a fortuitous goal and on Sunday the Reds struggled to impose their game especially in the first-half.
