Liverpool have succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United in a lively Premier League clash at Anfield this afternoon that saw a missed penalty and a staggering sending off for Steven Gerrard.
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The visitors were quickest out of the starting blocks, getting onto the front foot and dominating possession in the early stages.
Brendan Rodgers's charges had a good chance five minutes in when Raheem Sterling skipped past Daley Blind and Phil Jones in the area, but David de Gea was quick off his line to get to the ball first.
United recovered from that scare to impose themselves once again and took the lead in the 14th minute when an incisive through ball from Ander Herrera sliced through the Liverpool defence and found Mata, who slid a low finish in off the far post.
Liverpool set about trying to restore parity and came close three minutes later, with Jordan Henderson lifting a pass over the defence for Daniel Sturridge on the left side of the box, but the striker's volley flew high and wide of the near post.
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De Gea continued to be alert as he snuffed out a dangerous chance just before the half-hour mark, rushing out to stop Sterling from releasing Sturridge with a ball from deep.
United were then nearly caught out in the 35th minute when Henderson's cross-field ball was cushioned by Sturridge into the path of Adam Lallana, but the ex-Southampton man wasted the opportunity by lashing past the post.
The chance served to galvanise both the hosts and the Anfield crowd, but the Red Devils were able to see out the remainder of the half and take their slender lead into the break.
When Gerrard came on as a second-half substitute in place of Lallana, withdrawn following a suspected injury, there was much hope among the Anfield faithful that the inspirational Reds talisman would inspire a comeback on his final appearance against United.
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Instead the veteran midfielder found himself sensationally sent off just 48 seconds into his game for reacting to an Ander Herrera tackle by stamping on his shin.
Liverpool carried on pressing despite the setback, with Sterling sending a cross into the Red Devils box which proved just too heavy for Sturridge, while Philippe Coutinho blasted a 35-yard effort over the bar.
United were able to make the most of their man advantage by doubling their lead on the hour, thanks to Angel Di Maria's lofted ball into the area that was met by an acrobatic overhead kick into the net by Mata.
There was renewed hope for the hosts in the 69th minute when Sturridge collected Coutinho's pass before sending a first-time shot past De Gea at the far post.
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Despite giving them added impetus to go on and salvage something from the game, Liverpool were simply not incisive enough in the final third.
United had the chance to wrap up the points in injury time from the spot, but Simon Mignolet was able to keep out Wayne Rooney's penalty by diving to his right.
It mattered little because Liverpool were unable to go on and seize an equaliser in the last few seconds, leaving the Red Devils to seal a vital three points in the race for the top four.
Giuseppe Labellarte
