Liverpool - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal heralded his team's 2-1 victory over Champions League qualification rivals Liverpool at Anfield as "one of the most important in my career".
Juan Mata scored twice in Sunday's Premier League game, either side of a red card for home captain Steven Gerrard, and despite Daniel Sturridge hitting back, Liverpool fell to a first loss in 14 league matches.
Victory strengthened United's grip on the fourth and final Champions League qualifying berth, with Liverpool now five points behind and Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur a point further back, leaving Van Gaal to reflect on a potentially decisive afternoon.